"My condolences," he said after a longer moment, ducking his head down lower out of respect. He'd never had a pet of any kind, practical or otherwise, but the rabbits on the back mountain were close in their way. "Losing family is difficult."

That was, at some point, what pets were, even some animals of labour. Part of the family, and then gone.

"I hope you have a better night than earlier, Miss Nell."