He talked to the plant, when all alone,

As he would to a friend, in a gentle tone;

And, day by day, and week by week,

As the rose grew taller, so Greg grew meek.

"But, at last they took him away to lie

On a hospital bed, for they knew he must die,

They placed the rose in the sunny light,

Where Greg might watch it, from morn till night,

And the green buds grew, from day to day,

As the sick man faded fast away.