HIS NEIGHBOR WOULDN’T STOP REPORTING THE SOUND OF A GIRL CRYING INSIDE HIS HOUSE—THEN HE HID BENEATH HIS DAUGHTER’S BED AND HEARD HER PLEAD FOR SOMEONE TO SPARE HER

“I could have done more.”

Thomas opened his mouth, but Mrs. Estelle pointed a fork at him.

“Don’t interrupt an old woman apologizing.”

He closed his mouth.

Lucia squeezed her hand. “You were the only one who noticed.”

Mrs. Estelle’s eyes filled. “No, sweetheart. I was the only one who said it out loud.”

That sentence stayed with Thomas for the rest of his life.