“What is it, dear?” asked Sue.

“Six,” said Johnsy, in almost a whisper. “They’re falling faster now.
Three days ago there were almost a hundred.
It made my head ache to count them.
But now it’s easy.
There goes another one.
There are only five left now.”

“Five what, dear? Tell your Sudie.”

“Leaves. On the ivy vine. When the last one falls I must go, too.
I’ve known that for three days. Didn’t the doctor tell you?”