Mrs. Moorsum, seemingly oblivious to Estelle’s discomfort, encouraged her, “Estelle, give Mr. Hans a bowl of soup. Everyone else has one except him.”

Estelle, still feeling flustered, hesitated while holding the tissue. Cristofer managed a bitter smile and tried to stand with the help of his walking stick, saying, “It’s okay. I can get the soup myself.”

But Estelle firmly insisted, “Just stay seated. It’s not easy for you to move around like that. Let me do it.”

Luke and Mrs. ...