Samuel let the atmosphere of the times take over the home. Every update became a subject. Every rumor became worth discussing. Every detail from the news was turned and weighed and compared.

At first this felt like vigilance.

In practice, it trained the family to look horizontally instead of upward.

Nathan grew visibly anxious. Sasha became mentally exhausted. Samuel himself, though full of information, felt less and less settled.

He had mistaken constant analysis for spiritual watchfulness.

They were not steadied.

They were worn down.