The farmer came and held her hand, but he was coughing so badly he could not speak. I showed the child to her mother, and she remained long enough to offer a name before she passed. Moments later, her husband succumbed as well.

The cold took them both.

Papa Nico swaddled that child, and gazed at me in wonder and terror.

"Kathleen," he said. "There's nothing we can do for this child here. We must take her home."

I nodded, but could not speak. My own coughing had become too consuming. In all the excitement I hadn't noticed.

I didn't even make it to the door.