Elijah looked at her and smiled sadly. "Don't worry. I'm not arresting him. Even provoked, he shouldn't have struck him. I am hoping he doesn't do it again. Where are your brothers?" He looked around a little. He gently guided them towards the house. "Go in before you catch a cold."

"I told them to go to Maggie's. I suppose that's where..." She frowned and suddenly looked frightened again. "Did Anne go to yours?"

Elijah didn't want to lie to Rose. "She might be, I'll go check. Please get your brothers. I need to find Simon as well. It'll be ok to go home. I just had a heated argument with your father, and I am sorry you had to see that. I let my emotions get to me."

Rose tried not to tear up when Elijah apologized and she nodded. "Is Simon alright?" She fought the tears. She was fifteen years old, not a child anymore. But she couldn't keep her lip from trembling. Alice, meanwhile had run out of the yard, to look for her brothers and stay away from the constable.

Rose frowned and wanted to hug her, but she might have been scared of him like Alice. He shook his head and leaned down a little. "I don't know. I think physically, he'll recover. I have to find out how he is doing inside. "Please, be strong. I know it's really hard with all that has happened, but I believe you can do it. I will try my hardest to help Simon though I do not know if I can get him to come home. I can only try. Alright?"

Rose swallowed. Then she nodded. "I... I'll wait for the others to come back." For she was afraid to go inside alone. "I'll look after them."

Elijah almost teared up as he heard that. He couldn't help but hug her for a small moment. "Thank you. You're a great sister. I am sorry you have to bear so much on your own. I will check up on you all later, if your siblings will dare have me around. " He smiled sadly and started to leave.

Rose bit her lip and looked at him apologetically. "You better don't... We're not supposed to talk to you, Elijah... It might vex him again if you stop by..."

Eiljah frowned but nodded. "You're right. If you ever feel like you need to come to me, you can. I promise I won't tell." He patted her shoulder and walked home, hoping Anne and Simon were still there. It hurt to think what had happened between him and Ben, and now most of the kids were frightened and perhaps angry with him too. He felt like he was losing family all over again.

When Elijah returned, both siblings were still there. Anne was washing a cloth in a bucket. Simon was sitting on the sofa. Both quickly got up when Elijah entered and looked at him.