"Better than I was on Friday, but this weather'll do for me if it continues much longer…. You see them two beds? They died yesterday, and I've 'eard that three or four that left the hospital are gone, too."
The doctor came to William's bed. "Well, are you still determined to go home?" he said.
"Yes; I'd like to die at home. You can't do nothing for me…. I'd like to die at home; I want to see my boy."
"You can see Jack here," said Esther.
"I'd sooner see him at 'ome…. I suppose you don't want the trouble of a death in the 'ouse."
"Oh, William, how can you speak so!" The patient coughed painfully, and leaned against the pillows, unable to speak.
Esther remained with William till the time permitted to visitors had expired. He could not speak to her but she knew he liked her to be with him.
When she came on Thursday to take him away, he was a little better. The clerk's wife was chattering; the great navvy lay in the corner, still as a block of stone. Esther often looked at him and wondered if he had no friend who could spare an hour to come and see him.
"I was beginning to think that you wasn't coming," said William.
"He's that restless," said the clerk's wife; "asking the time every three or four minutes."