this was mireille's first appearance outside her den since the birth of her children.
the constant demands of nursing had left her thinner, but her red fur had not depleted in its brightness. she thought of them as she sat outside the tangle; little miette, baby chantale, small tousaint, and undimmed thibault.
rain touched her face; rain mingled with tears, and she closed her eyes to both as grief for her lost mothers cascaded over her features.