Последний лист

           Pneumonia,too. Heisanold,weakman,andtheattackisacute. Thereisnohopeforhim;buthegoestothehospitaltodaytobemademorecomfortable." 

           ThenextdaythedoctorsaidtoSue: "She’soutofdanger. You’vewon. Nutritionandcarenow—that’sall." 

           AndthatafternoonSuecametothebedwhereJohnsylay,contentedlyknittingaveryblueandveryuselesswoolenshoulderscarf,andputonearmaroundher,pillowsandall. 

           "Ihavesomethingtotellyou,whitemouse,"shesaid. "Mr.Behrmandiedofpneumoniatodayinthehospital. Hewasillonlytwodays. Thejanitorfoundhimonthemorningofthefirstdayinhisroomdownstairshelplesswithpain. Hisshoesandclothingwerewetthroughandicycold. Theycouldn’timaginewherehehadbeenonsuchadreadfulnight. Andthentheyfoundalantern,stilllighted,andaladderthathadbeendraggedfromitsplace,andsomescatteredbrushes,andapalettewithgreenandyellowcolorsmixedonit,and—lookoutthewindow,dear,atthelastivyleafonthewall. Didn’tyouwonderwhyitneverflutteredormovedwhenthewindblew? Ah,darling,it’sBehrman’smasterpiece—hepaintedittherethenightthatthelastleaffell."