The handsome boy sat down and held her white hands affectionately in his brown ones, and his bright blue eyes gazed quietly at her.
‘I miss papa dreadfully,’ he said. ‘Don’t you?’
‘His death has made a very great change in my life,’ she answered.
‘I couldn’t believe it at first,’ said Leone. ‘When I did, I just couldn’t stand it. I went and shut myself up in my room all day and thought about him.’
‘Perhaps that was the best thing you could have done, dear.’
‘What did you do after he was dead, mother? I want to know.’
‘I fell ill at once,’ Maria answered. ‘I thought I was only falling asleep, and I knew nothing for more than a fortnight.’
‘Yes. But before that, did you cry much?’
‘No, dear. I was quite worn out, for I had scarcely left him since he had fallen ill. When he did not breathe any more, I kissed him and prayed, and then came to my own room. After that I remember nothing.’
Leone looked at her thoughtfully and rather sadly.