It can be inferred that the figurative meaning of Sister Maria De la Guardia's word to Mirabella "“What are you holding on to? Nothing, little one. Nothing” is: Mirabella had nothing left.
An inference refers to the submission or conclusion that a person reaches or makes after thoroughly appraising a text or information logically.
Figurative meaning is defined as something that is not to be taken literally and instead employs a symbol or a likeness.
Figurative language is used when you declare you're so hungry you could eat a house.
Learn more about figurative meaning:
https://brainly.com/question/980024
#SPJ1