She caught sight of a bottle of cologne on the dresser, one which she had given her mother herself the Christmas before; she had bought it out of her little savings of pocket-money.

Maria went unsteadily over to the dresser and got the cologne.

She also opened a drawer and got out a clean handkerchief.

She became conscious that her mother's eyes were upon her, even although she never ceased for a moment her cries of agony.
"What--r you do--g ?" asked her mother, in her dreadful voice.
"Just getting some cologne to put on your head, to make you feel better, mother," replied Maria, piteously.

She thought she must answer her mother's question in spite of her father's prohibition.
Her mother seemed to take no further notice; she turned her face to the wall.