“My lungs are, I know, affected. Will you tell me how seriously they are involved?”
Dr. Mary Murchison promised to comply. She brought her stethoscope, Clara bared her chest, and the doctor listened attentively. After a moment or two she put down the stethoscope and looked full at Dr. Tarbot’s wife.
“Well?” said Clara.
Still Dr. Murchison did not speak.
“The truth, please,” said Clara again.
“You are very ill, Mrs. Tarbot.”
“You mean that I am dying?”
“Well, yes, I do mean it. Both your lungs are affected, one extensively, but both are affected.”
“How long?” asked Clara.
“A few months, not longer.”