Gladys made a valiant effort to choke down her tears.
"Is Mrs. Nest better to-day," she asked.
The son shook his head.
"I fear not," he replied sadly; "she has a great deal of fever. And I am, unfortunately, obliged to go into the country for a day or two about some important business."
"You are going away! oh, Mr. 'Dolph, there will be no one to take care of us," cried Gladys, the tears rushing to her eyes again.
The young man was touched by her distress.
"Oh yes, yes," he said; "they will all be very kind to you. I will speak to them, and I shall be soon back again, and you and my little Roger will be very good, I am sure."
There was nothing more to be said. Gladys tried to go on eating, though her hunger had quite left her, and it was difficult to swallow anything without crying again. Only one thought grew clearer in her mind—"I must write to Miss Susan."
During the rest of the meal Adolphe kept talking to Anna about the work and other things to be seen to while he was away.