The picture of the ailing child was nothing like Louisa had imagined it. Not only did her usual full face look gaunter than it could ever be, Adelaide had also lost an incredible amount of weight so much so that the very silk dress she was wearing did so much more than clothe her nakedness; it swallowed her up.
Louisa did not know to keep back her sobs when she saw the child. Her hands were so thin. Her feet also.
There was also something sickly about the air of her bedroom. The walls and all about the room were painted in white; the type of white that looked sad. Or at least Louisa felt that way. But then the window to the east was wide open to allow room for some ventilation. That should help contain the sad vibes, Louisa thought to herself.
At the foot of Adelaide's bed sat her teacher. Miss Powell looked her saddest in the way she kept her face. It was as though she was contemplating whether to cry or hold back her tears for the child's benefit.
