NO ONE ASKED, SO NO ONE WAS TOLD, WHAT MARY ANNE SLOAN'S LAST words had been. Only one person knew, and she was about to leave the house with the unshared information.
"I see you're packed," Dr. Cameron said, entering the bedroom. "Are you not going to spend the night here? "
"No," Kathy replied. "I don't think I should stay any longer."
The doctor looked sympathetically into the young woman's eyes. He had seen her at the hospital, overwhelmed by Mrs. Sloan's collapse and eventual death.
"Had Mary Anne told you about her illness?" asked the doctor.
"No… No. I had no idea. She never mentioned it. And she looked so lively."
"Oh, she was. She was. Never seemed to find time to give that feeble heart of hers a rest."
Mrs. Sloan's sister, Frances, then knocked on the open door.
"Can I come in?"
"Of course, Mrs. Martin. In fact, I was about to go look for you. To pay my last respects and say goodbye."
Mrs. Martin understood that Kathy was firmly resolved to leave, so she didn't attempt to convince her to stay, which would only uselessly delay the young woman's plans for a couple of probably uncomfortable days among strangers. Nevertheless, she did want Kathy to know that they, Mary Anne Sloan's family, were happy to have her there.