The given statement shows that the two families knew each other. Some people had left their home due to the war many years ago. Those who had stayed back thought that the ones who had left would never come back. That is why the woman feels surprised to see one of them come back. It also shows that selfishness of human behavior. People care for material things done for human beings. But it can't be said of all human beings. The narrator and her mother were totally different in their nature. They were trusting and loving human beings. Thus the given statement does give some clue about the story.
