A Good Feast

It took them both a long time to understand that the boy was sick, though she would point out that she had been the first to notice that he was unhappy, and had sought to remedy his discontent with sweeter treats and more delightful distractions. She thought it was evidence that she loved him more-that she had noticed first that something was wrong-and she said as much to her husband, when they were still trying to outdo each other in love for the child.