[Kit's own smile becomes a kind of sad at that. It's clear that his is something she's considered before.]

Probably. I didn't really want to make Mamma worry any more, but Kat was right; we had to do something. And besides, without us there, there'd be two less mouths to feed.

After Papa died... Mamma had to work the farm and take care of all of us too. But she couldn't. There wasn't enough food for all five of us. Mamma tried to make sure we all had at least a little, but... pretty soon that didn't leave any for her.

So we waited til Mamma thought we were asleep, and we... left. That was awhile ago. We haven't been back since.