FAMILY LOSS
Bob Cratchit is grieving the loss of his child, Tiny Tim, as evidenced by his emotional reaction and the family's discussion about Tiny Tim's absence and their first parting.
BOB CRATCHIT
'My little, little child!' cried Bob. 'My little child!' He broke down all at once. He couldn't help it. If he could have helped it, he and his child would have been farther apart, perhaps, than they were. He left the room, and went upstairs into the room above, which was lighted cheerfully, and hung with Christmas. There was a chair set close beside the child, and there were signs of some one having been there lately. Poor Bob sat down in it, and when he had thought a little and composed himself, he kissed the little face. He was reconciled to what had happened, and went down again quite happy. ... But, however and whenever we part from one another, I am sure we shall none of us forget poor Tiny Tim--shall we--or this first parting that there was among us?' 'Never, father!' cried they all.