'Did you hear that?'

Sigefrith stopped in mid-​​sentence. “Did you hear that?” he asked Alred.

“What?”

“Sounded like a knock.”

“No.”

The knock came again, timidly.

The knock came again, timidly, but as they were listening for it now, both heard it.

“Sounds like a little one,” Sigefrith smiled. “Who’s there?” he called.

“Dunstan,” a thin voice cried from behind the door. “Is my father here?”

“Oh, it’s one of mine!” Alred said. “I’m here, boy. Come along in.”

“Father…” Dunstan began as he came in. “Oh, I’m sorry to interrupt, Beebee,” he said to Sigefrith with a bow.

'I'm sorry to interrupt, Beebee.'

“Perfectly all right, runt,” Sigefrith said.

“Father,” he began again softly, and came to stand close to Alred.

Sigefrith smiled fondly at the two of them. Alred was quite another man with his shy and sensitive oldest son, and just now the boy seemed to have his heart in his mouth.

Sigefrith smiled fondly at the two of them.

“Father, I wish you would come home to Mother now. Can you?”

“Can I?” Alred asked. “What’s the matter?”

“I don’t know, but she is on her bed crying and she won’t stop, and she doesn’t want anybody.”

'I don't know, but she is on her bed crying and she won't stop.'

“Has she had any news today?”

“I don’t think so. She has been in her room all day.”

“Your brothers and sisters are well?”

“I think so.”

“Hmm, I suppose I know what it is then. Your Mama didn’t tell you she was expecting another baby, did she?”

“No.”

“Well, I suppose she isn’t, any more. That’s all.”

'Well, I suppose she isn't, any more. That's all.'

“Oh, dear,” Sigefrith murmured. “I’m sorry, Alred.”

“She was a bit worried last night,” Alred said. He passed his hand over his face and then shook his head. “Well, you know that’s not the most important thing.”

“What’s the most important thing?” Dunstan asked.

“The most important thing is that your Mama is well. And you and I shall go home and take care of her to make sure of it.” He pulled Dunstan’s head down to kiss the top of it and then stood. “You don’t need me today?” he asked Sigefrith.

“No, no, go on home. Give her a kiss for me, even if you don’t tell her from whence it came.”

“Hmm,” Alred agreed and wandered out with his arm around his son.

Sigefrith sat back in his chair and sighed. It did not seem that anything good was meant to happen in this accursed winter. And it was only beginning.

Sigefrith sat back in his chair and sighed.