Her son , who was in Kingsport with his regiment , was seriously ill with pneumonia , and she must go to him at once .<br>The members of the concert committee looked at each other in blank dismay .<br>What was to be done ?<br>`` This comes of depending on outside help , '' said Olive Kirk , disagreeably .<br>`` We must do something , '' said Rilla , too desperate to care for Olive 's manner .<br>`` We 've advertised the concert everywhere -- and crowds are coming -- there 's even a big party coming out from town -- and we were short enough of music as it was .
The son was sick with pneumonia.