The story is meant to be bittersweet, so it's up to the reader to decide why the children were smiling.

Perhaps they were smiling because they were relieved that their father was finally at peace. He had been sick for a long time, and they had watched him suffer. They knew that he was ready to die, and they were happy for him.

Perhaps they were smiling because they accepted his apology. They knew that he had made mistakes, but they also knew that he loved them. They forgave him for his regrets, and they were able to move on with their lives.

Or perhaps they were smiling because they were simply grateful for the time they had spent with their father. They knew that he was a good man, and they loved him very much. They were sad to see him go, but they were also grateful for the memories they had shared with him.

Ultimately, the meaning of the story is up to the individual reader to decide.
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