Oh dear, that is really sad to hear: not having some way to keep children from dying so soon. It must be hard not to feel sadden by such an early loss. Especially when they have so much time ahead of them to make the most of life and can bring so many hope and dreams with them.

(Having to lose Alexei and a couple of cousins certainly stings her heart so much. She has since started to wonder what he would be like if he hadn’t died on the night the angry mob stormed Catherine Palace and attacked.)

No little child doesn’t have to die a untimely death, including my little brother. He was very much endearing to every one in the family, including my parents and Mama especially. If only I was able to get him to join me and Grandmama in escaping the mobs together, maybe he would have been still alive today.