Chapter 4
The litany of memories had caused Robert to become drowsy. He now sat dozing by the fire. He had fallen asleep waiting for Nathaniel to return after reading the letter. The door opened. He sat up as Nathaniel entered the room. Nathaniel had always shared the news the letters from Massachusetts had contained. Not that there had been many. After the letter he had received from Jonathan, releasing him to move on with his life, the correspondence between the two men had at first been regular. Then it had dwindled.
Robert looked at him expectantly.
“I am tired,” Nathaniel said. “I think I will go to bed.”
“Was there bad news?”
“Yes, Rebecca has passed away,” the older man said with great sadness.
“How? What happened?”
“She died in childbirth, another boy. He did not survive.”
