His features softened a little with understanding, though he was still frustrated. But it made sense. She had lost her baby. How could she not cling to someone else's. And Alice not wanting her own was probably only making it more difficult. "I understand," he quietly yielded. There was no choice. "I'm sorry that this situation should have brought you fresh pain, Mrs. Carpenter. For Emma's sake, I'll gladly accept your offer to stay on until we find someone else. We will not trouble you longer than necessary."