Elly shook her head:
"I'm dead-tired," she said. "I can't see Mamma this evening. I'm going up to bed, Auntie."
"I'll see Mamma," said Lot.
Elly rose quickly and went upstairs. Aunt Adèle followed her; and Lot went to another room to change his things. On the stairs, Elly began to cry:
"Poor old Grandpapa!" she sobbed; and her voice broke.
They reached the bedroom. Aunt Adèle helped her undress.
"Are you so tired, dear?"
Elly nodded.
"Dear, is anything the matter? You've something so hard about your face, something I've never seen there before.... Tell me, dear, you are happy, aren't you?"
Elly gave a vague smile: