By early evening the meaning of the chalk marks was apparent. Most of the hall was empty, but about a hundred people remained. She was already crying by the time an official came and told them in their own language that they would be going back. "Why?" they asked, in fear and anger. To answer them, he made them turn around so he could tell them the one word that had kept them out. For this young peasant and his wife, that word had been "consumption "What about the child?" she asked. "Is there a place for him? If we have to go back, we'll leave him." No," answered the official. "The child stays with you." His expression implied that there was something wrong with a mother who wanted to leave her child