Chapter Twenty-Seven Summary

In August of 1914, Britain declares itself at war. Constance and Georges Beauclaire's sons, Timmy and Paul, enlist. Constance's daughter Madeleine dies after giving birth to twins. Then, Paul Beauclaire is killed in action. Next, Timmy dies in action. Katherine delivers the telegrams to Constance each time.

The Flannigans never speak of their dead children; they never share the good memories. When Timmy dies, Katherine remembers when she first met him. She reminds Mike about the puppy Timmy held up for them to see, and Mary Aroon which she held up for him to see. The Flannigans begin to remember and talk about their children.

In 1918, a flu epidemic hits the village. Constance Beauclaire suffers the virus and dies. Before she dies, she tells Katherine that she wants her and Mike to take the twins. After Constance dies, Katherine cries for one...