What is the size of sorrow?

I knew at once what the cat lady's husband had come to say. He avoided my eyes as he kissed me on both cheeks with his enormous white moustache.
"Madame...."
"I guess it's the cat."
"Oh oui....."
I saw a tear gently hide itself in the moustache.
"She has taken it very badly - she asked me to come."
I thanked him and watched as he went to the door of another house, like a bumble bee laden with dark pollen amidst the perfumed flowers of life.

No quips today. There has been a tiny loss in the village.