Denise was so good to me before she took sick . She used to kiss me and play with me and make little cakes for me and tell me beautiful stories . '' The lady put the little black doll back in the box . Then she stood up and held out her hand . `` Come , '' she said . `` I am Madame Laurin , and I shall go and sing for Denise . '' Little Joyce piloted Madame Laurin home and into the kitchen and up the back stairs to the kitchen chamber -- a proceeding which would have filled Aunt Isabella with horror if she had known . But Madame Laurin did not seem to mind , and Little Joyce never thought about it at all . It was Little Joyce 's awkward , unMarshall-like fashion to go to a place by the shortest way there , even if it was up the kitchen stairs . Madame Laurin stood in the bare little room and looked pityingly at the wasted , wistful face on the pillow . `` This is Madame Laurin , and she is going to sing for you , Denise , '' whispered Little Joyce . Denise 's face lighted up , and she clasped her hands . `` If you please , '' she said faintly . `` A French song , Madame -- de ole French song dey sing long ` go . '' Then did Madame Laurin sing . Never had that kitchen chamber been so filled with glorious melody . Song after song she sang -- the old folklore songs of the habitant , the songs perhaps that Evangeline listened to in her childhood . Little Joyce knelt by the bed , her eyes on the singer like one entranced . Denise lay with her face full of joy and rapture -- such joy and rapture ! Little Joyce did not regret the sacrifice of her black doll -- never could regret it , as long as she remembered Denise 's look .
`` T'ank you , XXXXX , '' said Denise brokenly , when Madame ceased .
Madame bed box face home knelt lady pillow room song