"You've woken her up now. Whatever could be so important?" the woman snapped.

"I... I..."

Kelty thrust the basket forward. She watched as the woman's features softened for a moment, then twist. The widow was crying.

"Oh damn..." she muttered, snatching the basket from Kelty's hand and slamming the door shut.

Her sobbing now joined the chorus of her shrieking baby and then complaining children, but Kelty didn't hear any more of it. She was already running home, a mixture of shock and shame propelling her forward.

As she arrived, she heard other loud voices. One of them was her grandfather.