Anne shook her head. She didn't want to burden Mrs. Blacke. She wanted to be nice and cheerful and make the kind woman feel good. But her head was foggy and her feelings were whirling around so fast she wasn't even sure what she was feeling. She simply couldn't hold up the act.

"I'm just really worried. About me dad... and Alice, and what's going to 'appen now... I'm sorry. I'm such bad company right now."