“He must have said something: what was it?”
“Why, he said you'd have to be careful—and stay in bed—and take this new medicine he's given you.”
“Did he say I was going to get well?”
“Why, Evelina!”
“What's the use, Ann Eliza? You can't deceive me. I've just been up to look at myself in the glass; and I saw plenty of 'em in the hospital that looked like me. They didn't get well, and I ain't going to.” Her head dropped back. “It don't much matter—I'm about tired. On'y there's one thing—Ann Eliza—”
The elder sister drew near to the bed.
“There's one thing I ain't told you. I didn't want to tell you yet because I was afraid you might be sorry—but if he says I'm going to die I've got to say it.” She stopped to cough, and to Ann Eliza it now seemed as though every cough struck a minute from the hours remaining to her.
“Don't talk now—you're tired.”
“I'll be tireder to-morrow, I guess. And I want you should know. Sit down close to me—there.”
Ann Eliza sat down in silence, stroking her shrunken hand.