During a turbulent snowstorm in the middle of the night, Peter and Iva's frantic shouts roused everyone out of their slumber. As they assembled in the front room around the crackling warmth of the fireplace, it became apparent that Iva was clutching her stomach in discomfort—a clear sign that she was about to give birth to their child.
"Dad! What happened to Mom?" Pascoe shouted out to his father to explain his mother's condition.
"Go back to your room Pascoe!" replied Peter.
Then Peter looked at Rodion and asked, "Rodion?! What should I do?! Should we take her to the physician immediately?!" shouted a desperate Peter, waiting for his friend, whom he relied on so much to help him find answers.
But Rodion didn't know what to do either.
That night was a blizzard, and the storm was strong enough to almost break the roof tiles. There was no way they could take Iva, in pain, to the physician. No one could get out of the house in such a violent storm.
