Niamh’s pneumonia is the logical consequence of her turbulent experiences – not only did she walk for miles in the snow at night, but the stress and shock of her experiences likely affected her immune system. By giving Niamh a bell and “dropping everything” when she needs something, Mrs. Murphy shows that she isn’t begrudging or resentful of Niamh’s dependence on her. Niamh’s struggle to believe that she is being taken care of shows how she has become used to taking care of herself. Still, Niamh knows the situation is temporary and that there are no guarantees that she will feel this safety again.