. . . , just how precious this child is, even before it's arrived!

[shootingstar]

(Bettty speaking to William)
'It seems to me, that out of all this pain you've put people through, including yourself, a very good thing can come' - she glances up the stairs (where Gloria, William's wife, who is pregnant, is sleeping) - 'for all three of you. The end of this chapter and the start of the next is that you become a father, knowing far better than those who've never seen the suffering you have, just how precious this child is, even before it's arrived! And that, William, seems a bit of a gift, don't you think?'
He nods.

(From A Terrible Kindness by Jo Browning Wroe, Part V, Aberfan, scene 65)

I wonder what word is emphasised by "just" in this clause. I suppose it's the adjective "precious", right?

 

[teechar]

It is an adverb emphasizing the degree/extent of preciousness of the child; thus, it modifies the phrase "how precious".

 

[shootingstar]

Thank you.
Nevertheless, I don't think you can emphasise the word "how" in this context; in the present instance you have to put the emphasis on "precious" in my opinion.

 

[jutfrank]

The word 'how' expresses the degree of preciousness, as teechar told you in post #2. It's this degree that's being emphasised.

 

[shootingstar]

The word 'how' expresses the degree of preciousness, as teechar told you in post #2. It's this degree that's being emphasised.

Yes, thank you, I understand now.
This seems to be my last question regarding this book. Thank you very much for helping all of you.