The more she clings, the more tightly he holds her. He is murmuring to her, sweet words but not without sense.

After a moment, he urges them -- albeit somewhat awkwardly -- toward a chair. He sits and bundles her into his lap still tighter, rocking her just a little.

What he does not say is something like, "Do not cry." He doesn't even say, "It's well" -- it isn't. He just does his best to be present, and to make sure she knows he has him and whatever she may ask of him.