Anne gave her another smile and went downstairs into the kitchen. She was almost finished when Kate returned from school.

"Anne! How lovely to see you!"

A minute later or so, the two girls came up with three cups of tea, and biscuits Kate had added.

"How are ye feelin', ma?" asked Kate. While the two girls were talking in the kitchen she had already been informed that Joe was still missing, so she refrained from asking about him.