Just then, Leonie tripped over her feet and fell, her head catching the corner of one of the wooden bricks. Constance sprang from the couch in an instant and scooped up the little girl, whose face was contorted with pain. Leonie inhaled for a few long seconds, then started to cry. Or she looked as if she was crying, but she wasn’t making any sound.

“Did you hurt yourself, baby? Don’t cry,” said Constance. A lump was forming on Leonie’s head. She continued to cry, but the only noise coming out between the girl’s jerky inhalations was a high wheeze, like air escaping from a puncture.

“I’ll get an ice pack.” Gregor went to the kitchen.

“What’s wrong with her?” Ruby whispered to Constance. “Why is she silent? Is she choking?”

“This is how she cries. Always. Barely a sound.”

“But that’s not normal. You know that, right?”

A frown creased Constance’s forehead as she stroked Leonie’s hair. She tipped her head toward the kitchen. “He doesn’t like noise.”

“Dammit,” said Gregor, from the other room. “No ice.”

Ruby thought she saw Leonie’s small body tense up at the sound of his voice. She curled closer to her mother, became very still.

“Hey, baby,” said Ruby, touching Leonie’s arm. She flinched, and Ruby drew away. “Daddy’s not angry with you—don’t worry.”

Constance’s face was solemn, her eyes intense as she gazed at Ruby over her daughter’s head.

By the time Gregor returned with a pack of frozen peas wrapped in a towel, Leonie had stopped the silent crying. She wriggled to be let down, had apparently forgotten that she’d even hurt herself, despite the half egg protruding from her forehead. Constance tried to put the cold pack on her forehead, but the child batted it away and toddled off, bump and all, to carry on playing as if nothing had happened.

“So brave,” said Gregor. “That’s my girl.”

Later he walked Ruby to the door. “Thanks for tonight. You’re a good friend to us.”

“It’s no trouble. I love coming over. And that song—wow. It’s like a gift every time she teaches me something new.”

Their eyes met, and Ruby was suddenly aware that they were alone together. Gregor shuffled his feet awkwardly. “Well, I’ll see you next time, then.”

Ruby said, “I wanted to ask you …”

“She’s been better recently, Constance. Don’t you think so?”

Ruby wasn’t sure she agreed, in general. “She’s better today, sure. But Gregor, when Leonie was crying …”

“Oh, that. I’ve gotten used to it now. She’s not like other kids, right? You don’t need earplugs.” He laughed a little, then stopped when he realized she was serious.

“But why is she like that? Is there something wrong with her? Did you teach her not to cry?”