One or two still hustled Brother Biscoe as he fought his way to the foot of the refectory steps, at the head of which Nurse Branscome barred the exit, with Corona holding fast by her hand and wondering.
"But what is it all about ?" asked the child.
"Hush!" The Nurse squeezed her hand, meaning that she must have courage.

"We have come too late, and the dinner is all shared up--or all of it that would do your father good." "But"-- Corona dragged her small hand loose--"there is plenty left; and when they know he is sick they will make it all right.

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If you please, sir," she spoke up, planting her small body in front of Brother Biscoe as he would have pushed past with his plate, "my father is sick, and Nurse says he must not eat the meat that's left on the dish there.