 Why did nobody react when Henry's mother started crying at the table?
The head of the American Legion and the chief of police, who had escorted him on this trip from the square, didn't ask to go in with him. They held onto each other as if seeking mutual support, the thirty-three-year old woman and ten-year-old boy. But what shocked him even more was the fact that no one looked up, commented, made any attempt to comfort her; no one indicated in any way that a woman was sobbing at the table. He was sitting directly across from Mother, and reached out and touched her left hand which lay limply beside the silverware.
 They felt for her in all of the uncertainty and tension.
 They didn't understand what was wrong and felt too awkward to say anything.  They were too busy taking care of other details surrounding the meal.  They felt for her in all of the uncertainty and tension.  They were used to her tears and knew it was better not to say anything.