Twice she opened her mouth to speak, then shut it again.

At last she gained courage.
"Be you sick, boy ?" she inquired, in a sweet, timid voice.
Jerome opened his eyes with a start, and stared at the little quaint figure standing before him.

Lucina wore a short blue woollen gown; below it her starched white pantalets hung to the tops of her morocco shoes.

She wore also a white tier, and over that a little coat, and over that a little green cashmere shawl sprinkled with palm leaves, which her mother had crossed over her bosom and tied at her back for extra warmth.

Lucina's hood was of quilted blue silk, and her smooth yellow curls flowed from under it quite down to her waist.