That same night Seamus went to the house of the old schoolmaster, Mr. Brennigan, who had gone nearly blind but still knew the news better than anyone. He found him sitting by the fire with a blanket over his knees and a book open that he could no longer read.

“Are we all going to die like this?” Seamus asked without greeting.

The old man turned his head slowly.

“Not all. Some will die full while watching the rest of us.”