Anna looked at the assembled townspeople. Gerde"s and Kasper"s white faces were a stark contrast to the black clothes they wore. Gerde"s face was like stone and Kasper"s gentle eyes were totally bewildered. He had been unable to read God"s Word at the grave and Phillips could not read Deutsche. Anna had read from the gospel of St. John. Now a hymn should be sung, but Kasper was unable to lead them. The death of their only child had stricken them both mute.
Anna began the prayer from the Lutheran funeral service that ended with, “Into your hands, we submit his spirit and our lives.” It was two days after Hans had slipped away. Kasper had tried to lead the service, but his voice cracked and he buried his face in his hands. Anna wondered why she felt so warm when the blowing wind was so cold
