She signed to her, her finger on her lips, not to move, and noiselessly approached the bed.

She saw a long, black something spread upon it, over the quilt, and stopped, horrified, not understanding.

A faint groan.

The man on the bed raised his right hand with a vague gesture, as if in search of something.

The sister rose, but Jeanne, moving more swiftly, rushed to the pillow, and bent over Piero, who had begun to groan again and move his hand.
Jeanne questioned him anxiously, but he did not answer.