Oh ! I so want to hear Madame Laurin sing . '' `` But you ca n't , dear Denise , '' said Little Joyce very softly , stroking Denise 's hot forehead with her cool , slender hand . Little Joyce had very pretty hands , only nobody had ever noticed them . `` You are not strong enough to go to the concert . I 'll sing for you , if you like . Of course , I ca n't sing very well , but I 'll do my best . '' `` You sing lak a sweet bird , but you are not Madame Laurin , '' said Denise restlessly . `` It is de great Madame I want to hear . I haf not long to live . Oh , I know , Leetle Joyce -- I know what de doctor look lak -- and I want to hear Madame Laurin sing ` fore I die . I know it is impossible -- but I long for it so -- just one leetle song . '' Denise put her thin hands over her face and sobbed again . Little Joyce went and sat down by the window , looking out into the white birches . Her heart ached bitterly . Dear Denise was going to die soon -- oh , very soon ! Little Joyce , wise and knowing beyond her years , saw that . And Denise wanted to hear Madame Laurin sing . It seemed a foolish thing to think of , but Little Joyce thought hard about it ; and when she had finished thinking , she got her little black doll and took it to bed with her , and there she cried herself to sleep . At the breakfast table next morning the Marshalls talked about the concert and the wonderful Madame Laurin .
Little XXXXX listened in her usual silence ; her crying the night before had not improved her looks any .
Denise Joyce Laurin Madame Marshalls heart leetle nobody thinking years