The 6 o'clock news is on the radio. A woman is appealing to catch her husband's killer, naturally, she is distraught.
Luckily the heater in my car sounds like a vacuum cleaner, the 4 year old doesn't hear the full details, but she does understand that the woman is crying.
4 year old - Why is that lady crying?
Me - Her husband has died
4 year old - She must be very sad
Me - Yes, she is
4 year old - She won't ever see him again
Me - No
She ponders awhile. I hope this is the end of the conversation, not wanting a full death discussion before bedtime, but no ...
4 year old - She can buy a new husband though can't she?
Me - Umm, I don't think so
4 year old - Yes Mummy, she can buy a new husband and marry him like you and Daddy *
Me - How much do you think a husband costs?
4 year old - I don't know .... fiftyten pounds maybe.
* I would like to point out that although my husband and I are married, there was no dowry involved much to my fathers disappointment.