Her father had opened her door, and stood calling her.
"Maria," he said, in an agitated voice.
Maria sat up in bed.

"Oh, father, what is it ?" said she, and a vague horror chilled her.
"Get up, and slip on something, and go into your mother's room," said her father, in a gasping sort of voice.

"I've got to go for the doctor." Maria put one slim little foot out of bed.

"Oh, father," she said, "is mother sick ?" "Yes, she is very sick," replied her father.

His voice sounded almost savage.