It seems like the family in this story is generally not that happy. I wonder if Sophie Mol is still alive in the story. I think eventhough her death was not the reason for the sad atmosphere in the family, the existence of Sophie Mol would make the family little bit happier. Because she was beloved by many of the family members because she got things that no one in her family got. Moreover, the things she got was something that the others wanted to get. I know similar but actually the opposite situation in my real life. My friend who also studies in America is the only boy child in his entire family.(All of his cousins are girls) So whenever he goes back to his home during break, the atmosphere around his family increases incredibly high only by his existence.