"Miss Penny!" Benjamin stopped pacing in the entryway of the mansion when he saw Penny rushing inside. He hurried toward her but halted when he noticed she was with someone. However, he quickly refocused on Penny, his concern overriding any curiosity about her companion.
The moment their eyes met, his own filled with tears, on the verge of spilling. "Miss Penny…" he whimpered. "He said… everything's black—he can't see at all, and his fever is high enough to break the thermometer! What am I going to do?"
Penny's breath caught in her throat, and her eyes widened. "Where is he?"
"In his room. The doctors put him to sleep."
"Take me to him."
"Y—yes."
With that, Benjamin hurriedly led Penny toward the stairs. As they ascended, they stopped when Hugo spoke.
"Penny," Hugo called, making his sister and Benjamin look back at him. "I'll wait for you here."
Penny pursed her lips and nodded. "I'll come down later."