"We don't know yet dears, that's what the police are trying to find out."<br/><br/>Helena explained to the children after encouraging them to drink their cocoa to which she'd added a little dollop of brandy. Not a habit of hers, but these were exceptional circumstances. The warm drink and the alcohol in it would calm the children, make them woozy and sleepy. It was awfully late, way past their bedtime and after they drained their cups she planned to take them upstairs, tuck them in and let them sleep 'till the morning. She'd decided not to tell them about their father death. Not now, in the darkness, with the whole house in an uproar. But she knew she'd have to tell them tomorrow and did not relish the prospect.<br/><br/>The governess had obtained a cup of cocoa for herself too, spiced with a slightly larger amount of brandy and sipped it as she watched Cooper tear a button off his coat and toss it to the beggar-girl. It struck her as an odd thing to do, but she decided not to question.<br/><br/>"Can I offer you some cocoa as well, mister Cooper?" She asked him, feeling that was the least she could do to thank him for his assistance. "Or perhaps just a brandy...?"