Sue and Johnsy, two young artists, shared a small flat. The flat was on the third storey of an old house.
Johnsy fell very seriously ill in November. She had pneumonia. She would lie in her bed just gazing out of the window which would worry Sue. She sent for the doctor although he would come everyday and there would be no change in Johnsy's condition.
Johnsy, it seems, has made up her mind that she is not going to get well. If she doesn't want to live, medicines will not help her.
Is there anything that is worrying Johnsy?
No, but why do you ask?
Sue tried her best to make Johnsy take an interest in things like clothes and fashion, but she did not respond. Johnsy continued to lie still in her bed. Sue brought her drawing board and started painting. To take Johnsy's mind off her illness, she whistled while working.
Suddenly Sue heard Johnsy whisper something. She quickly rushed to the bed and heard Johnsy counting backwards. She was looking out of the window.
Twelve! eleven, ten, nine eight seven.
She saw an old ivy creeper climbing half-way up the wall opposite their window. In the strong wind outside the creeper was shedding its leaves.