" Henry, you're home!" his mother opened the door with a wide smile and welcoming arms. He hugged her.

" You're up walking around," he said. " Doesn't your chest hurt?"

She patted her chest with an air of confidence.

" Ian has been going to the city to pick up medicine for me with the money you send back," she said with a smile. " I can get on quite well."

" That's good! I was hoping my salary wasn't going to waste," he beamed.

She looked livelier than he remembered her ever being, perhaps with as much spring as she'd had in her step when he was a small child.

" Come in, come in, Ian and Lotte already know you were supposed to be getting in today," she said.

He set his coat on the rack.

Return......Next