"Please... Oh... Uh... Jacob?" It was then that she realized he had been removed from the situation so he wouldn't have to see his mother in distress, the poor little boy. "I am sure he is fine... Betsy and Eleanor are good friends ta me." She relaxed, stood carefully, and took his arm. She still looked pale and tired, but a bit of fresh air would do her just fine. As they began to move toward the garden, she lapsed into silence, which probably suited him just fine. If they passed others by at all, she didn't seem to notice at all. Her face was pinched with some residual stress.

Even as they walked out into the cool air, she seemed to be preoccupied with the turmoil for the moment.