Number the Stars

Mama tells the soldier that Aunt Birte had died from typhus...... a very contagious and deadly disease. The soldiers weren't about to touch the casket after hearing that.

Mama walked quickly across the room , directly to the casket, directly to the officer. "You're right," she said. "The doctor said it should be closed, because Aunt Birte died of typhus, and he said that there was a chance the germs would still be there, would still be dangerous.