She started out the door.
"Oh, gee! I can't go to bed!" Freddy wailed.
"Come along, then!" cried Madame d'Avala, impetuously seizing his hand. "I'll make them let you go to the concert. They must!"
They ran down the hall together hand in hand, Freddy directing the way to the Misses Blair's study. Miss Eva and Miss Nellie and Mary were there, and they looked at Freddy compassionately. And though Miss Eva said it was most unusual, Miss Nellie agreed to Madame d'Avala's request.
"For," said gentle Miss Nellie, drawing Madame d'Avala aside and lowering her voice—"for we are very sorry for Freddy now. His mother——"
"Oh, yes, she has gone to England."
"Why, no! She—is dead!"
"Oh, mio povero bambino! And how he adores her!"
"Yes."
"And what will he do then?"