a family of six

the parents stand behind. she has her hand on the eldest boy's shoulder; he keeps his hands at his sides because he has been told to. the children are arranged by height. the smallest, who is two, is held in place by the second-smallest, who has been promised something.

it is easter or near it. the apple tree behind them has not yet flowered. they have been called out from inside; their mother's apron has been removed and folded over the gate. the photograph was taken by a travelling man from the next valley who came once a year and stayed for tea.

field-note on the back, in a thin pencil: k. age 11, h. age 9, m. age 6, a. age 2. h. has the cough that winter. the cough is not mentioned again.

father child summer house a brother who left at the grave