For the next three days, life was at a standstill. In a section of the shop which was draped in black for the occasion, Thomas was lying in state, dressed in his best suit. “In the house, a constant coming and going of people; neighbors, relatives, some of whom came from a long distance, a few soldiers, schoolmates of Martin and his sisters came to say a rosary with their teachers. But the most noted visitors were the members of the O’Lawless family from Ireland. With the exception of his uncles Patrick and David, Martin had never met any of them, and he found them most impressive. Their dignified bearing, their refined speech, their clothing, everything pertaining to them placed them in a world apart. However, they all seemed profoundly saddened by Thomas’ death; they all wept bitterly. The moment he came in, the grandfather came to Rosa, took her in his arms and said: “I am so sorry.”