05-09-2022, 03:53 PM
The way this man conducted himself was so different from what Edmund was used to. He towered over the children in front of him, and made an effort to dampen it with a quiet and calm voice, projecting his movements so as not to startle. The words he used were comforting and understanding, and he did not assume Edmund would accept his help just because it was offered.
Indeed, this man was very different from anyone else Edmund had called father before.
Perhaps that's why Edmund found himself accepting what is being offered to him. It was with resignation, and with more than a moment of hesitation, but when deciding between a warm bed and a cobblestone street, was there really a choice to be made?
"I don't know when I'll be able to pay you back."
Still, Edmund knelt again and picked Mable up in his arms with the ease that comes only with having done it countless times before. Mable, for her part, folded up comfortably in her brother's arms even asleep. She was only just barely smaller than her brother, but Edmund held her like she weighed nothing. Either he was stronger than he looked, or she was lighter than she looked. Maybe both were true.
With the younger girl situated in his arms, all Edmund could do was look at Father Brennan. What could he say? What else was there to say? Nothing, as far as he could tell. He and Mable were in Father Brennan's care.
Indeed, this man was very different from anyone else Edmund had called father before.
Perhaps that's why Edmund found himself accepting what is being offered to him. It was with resignation, and with more than a moment of hesitation, but when deciding between a warm bed and a cobblestone street, was there really a choice to be made?
"I don't know when I'll be able to pay you back."
Still, Edmund knelt again and picked Mable up in his arms with the ease that comes only with having done it countless times before. Mable, for her part, folded up comfortably in her brother's arms even asleep. She was only just barely smaller than her brother, but Edmund held her like she weighed nothing. Either he was stronger than he looked, or she was lighter than she looked. Maybe both were true.
With the younger girl situated in his arms, all Edmund could do was look at Father Brennan. What could he say? What else was there to say? Nothing, as far as he could tell. He and Mable were in Father Brennan's care.
