The fire had gone
out while they were away, and the grate looked very black and cheerless.
The room was in great disorder, just as they had left it, and the gas,
which was burning high, cast a cruel glare upon it all. But Tony saw
nothing except the dear face of Dolly, resting on one check upon the
pillow, with her curly hair tossed about it in confusion, and her open
eyes gathering a strange film. Beppo had made his way to her side, and
pushed his head under her lifeless little hand, which tried to pat it now
and then. Old Oliver was sitting on the bedstead, his eyes fastened upon
her, and his whole body trembled violently. Tony sank down upon his
knees, and flung his arm over Dolly, as if to save her from the unseen
power which threatened to take her away from them.
"Don't ky, gan-pa," she said, softly; "don't ky more than a minute. Nor
Tony. Are I going to die, gan-pa?"
"Yes, my little love," cried old Oliver, moaning as he said it.
"Where are I going to?" asked Dolly, very faintly.
"You're going to see my Lord and Master," he said; "him as loves little
children so, and carries them in his arms, and never lets them be
sorrowful or ill or die again.
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