Johnsy, one of two aspiring artists who live in Greenwich Village has contracted pneumonia because before coming to New York, she has lived in sunny California. Weakened and depressed, Johnsy has given up hope of getting well.
After a doctor examines Johnsy, he tells her roommate named Sue that Johnsy has, perhaps, a one in ten chance of surviving. Then, he asks if Johnsy has any goals or anything for which she truly wants to live--a man, perhaps? If so, he can lower the odds to one in five. Sadly, Sue informs the doctor that Johnsy is not in love, nor does she have any strong passion for anything.
“Well, it is the weakness, then,” said the doctor. “I will do all that science, so far as it may filter through my efforts, can accomplish.
So, the doctor does not have much hope. As the despairing Sue watches over her friend, Johnsy awakens and tells Sue that she has been watching the ivy outside the window and counting the leaves as they have fallen.
When the last one falls I must go, too. I've known that for three days. Didn't the doctor tell you?”
Sue contradicts her, saying that the doctor has said that she has a strong chance of getting well. But, of course Sue is really worried about what the doctor has told her and because of this, she hurries to the apartment of Mr. Behrman and tells him about Sue. Because he cares greatly about Sue, he is very concerned. In fact, he loves the young woman like a daughter. Thus, he paints an ivy leaf on the window in the night so that Sue will not let herself die. And, it is only the sight of the ivy leaf painted by poor Behrman who himself dies of pneumonia that encourages Sue the next night to fight for her life.
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