One morning, after checking on Johnsy, her doctor took Sue aside and talked to her.
"She will survive only if she really wants to live, but she looks as though she has lost all hope. She should have the want to live. That is her only chance. Is she disappointed about something?"
"She was dreaming of painting the Bay of Naples some day, but now it seems like she is just awaiting her death," replied Sue softly.
"If my patients start thinking about their own funeral, the medicines will not work for them. You should get your friend to think about something positive. If you can get her to think about living instead of dying, then she has a chance."
Sue wiped her tears, plastered a smile on her face, and went into Johnsy's room with her drawing board, humming a joyful song. Johnsy was lying with her face towards the window. Sue stopped humming, thinking that she was sleeping.
As she started a pen-and-ink drawing, she heard a low sound from Johnsy's bed. She quickly went to the bedside.
