Ben had thought it had just been a bad cold when he had been sick last time, and Will and Bram had had to do the fishing. But his symptoms had worsened and here he was, in bed, burning up, with his children tending to him. Every time he decided that this was ridiculous and he told himself to toughen up and got up, he would soon have to lie down again, and Alice and Anne would scold him and Will would tell him it was alright; he could do the work with Bram's help. Bram meanwhile, had been sent outside by his weary sisters, and was in the yard, playing with a cat, when he saw Elijah. 
"Elijah! Father's sick!" he shouted.