“How many dead, Andrew?” Mr. Brown shrugged. “It’s hard to say with certainty.” “I’ve heard several hundred, at least,” said Mr. Carris. Grandfather paused. “Even a few hundred isn’t enough to call it an epidemic,” he said. “Some doctors warn we may see a thousand dead before it’s over. There are forty-thousand people living in Philadelphia, William. Can you imagine if one in forty were to die?” The room quieted as we all pondered the number. “I don't believe it,” said Grandfather finally. “People exaggerate. . . .” —Fever 1793, Laurie Halse Anderson How does Grandfather respond to news of the epidemic? How does Mr. Carris respond to news of the epidemic?