He laid down his book as the word was brought to him, and soon was treading noiselessly at her bedside.
"Well, Lillie dear," he said, "how are you ?" She put out her little wasted hand; "John dear," she said, "sit down; I have something that I want to say to you.

I have been thinking, John, that this can't last much longer." "What can't last, Lillie ?" said John, trying to speak cheerfully.
"I mean, John, that I am going to leave you soon, for good and all; and I should not think you would be sorry either." "Oh, come, come, my girl, it won't do to talk so!" said John, patting her hand.

"You must not be blue." "And so, John," said Lillie, going on without noticing this interruption, "I wanted just to tell you, before I got any weaker, that I know and feel just how patient and noble and good you have always been to me." "O Lillie darling!" said John, "why shouldn't I be?
Poor little girl, how much you have suffered!" "Well, now, John, I know perfectly well that I have never been the wife that I ought to be to you.

You know it too; so don't try to say anything about it.

I was never the woman to have made you happy; and it was not fair in me to marry you.