The Tuscan Child

by Rhys Bowen

To realise that one has nobody in the world—that is a sobering thought.

“When the world has gone mad, we must help each other when we can.

We are tested and we survive, and life will be good again.”

“When you have been in the trenches and watched men blown apart or drowning in mud, you can’t believe that any God would let those things happen and not interfere.”

You stay here, my dear, and you will see what sunshine and good food can do for you.”

These were simple folk who really and truly believed. I felt a twinge of envy that I had never experienced such a feeling of belonging.