Very few visitors came to the house. Dr. Cowell came once or twice a week, and his bedside manner was as welcome as his medical expertise. He always made Kat laugh and helped put the matters of her health into perspective. From all the evidence he could gather, the cancer growth wasn’t changing much, and the baby was growing at a normal rate and everything appeared to be progressing well in regard to the pregnancy. Everyone agreed that prayers were being answered, since they all had the sincere hope that the baby would be born normal and healthy in spite of the cancer. Henry had difficulty even comprehending there would be a baby. He could admit that he found it challenging to place too much hope in that eventuality when he was so focused on wishing that Kat would somehow escape the evil menace of cancer and have a miraculous recovery. He knew that Kat’s greatest hope was to give this child life before she lost her own, but Henry couldn’t tell her that the idea of having a child without her around to share in that child’s life just didn’t hold any appeal for him at this point. He could only pray that if it turned out that way, his feelings would change and he would be given the strength to get through it. For now he simply appreciated the doctor’s regular visits and how he had a way of lifting Kat’s spirits.

Besides Dr. Cowell, there were only a few local people who came by to visit occasionally. These were the friends of Oliver and Viola who had no problem with the fact that they had an Indian daughter and that their household now included Indian servants. These people also appreciated the Indian cuisine that was sometimes served when they might stay for a meal. As friends of Kat’s parents, they had been made aware of the cancer, but that meant they were also sworn to the household pact of not discussing it in front of Kat. Henry liked these people well enough, but he most often left the older generation to visit with them, and he was most comfortable when there was no company in the house.