While she was absent, life was nothing; all its value, all its light, its flavor, its beauty, were gone.

I felt utterly crushed.
I forgot all else save her illness, and all that I had endured seemed as nothing when compared with this.
In the midst of my own anxiety I was surprised to find that the whole community was most profoundly agitated.

Among all classes there seemed to be but one thought--her illness.

I could overhear them talking I could see them wait outside to hear about her.

It seemed to be the one subject of interest, beside which all others were forgotten.