"Father's darling," he whispered.

Then he said over his shoulder to Aunt Maria, "I wish you would go into my room and get that flask of brandy I keep in my closet." Aunt Maria obeyed.

She returned with the flask and a teaspoon, and Maria's father made her swallow a few drops, which immediately warmed her and made the strange rigidity disappear.
"I guess she had better stay in here with you the rest of the night," said Harry to his sister-in-law; but little Maria sat up determinately.
"No, I'm going back to my own room," she said.
"Hadn't you better stay with your aunt, darling ?" Harry Edgham looked shamefaced and guilty.

He saw that his sister-in-law and Maria had been weeping, and he knew why, in the depths of his soul.

He saw no good reason why he should feel so shamed and apologetic, but he did.