She liked to see the alarm that came over the other woman 's face . It was richly worth while to scare Caroline Holland like that . `` Are you feeling worse , Naomi ? '' asked the latter shakily . `` If you are I 'll send for Charles to go for the doctor . '' `` No , you wo n't . What good can the doctor do me ? I do n't want either his or Charles ' permission to die . You can go and milk at your ease . I wo n't die till you 're done -- I wo n't deprive you of the pleasure of seeing me . '' Mrs. Holland shut her lips and went out of the room with a martyr-like expression . In some ways Naomi Holland was not an exacting patient , but she took her satisfaction out in the biting , malicious speeches she never failed to make . Even on her death-bed her hostility to her sister-in-law had to find vent . Outside , at the steps , Sarah Spencer was waiting , with the milk pails over her arm . Sarah Spencer had no fixed abiding place , but was always to be found where there was illness . Her experience , and an utter lack of nerves , made her a good nurse . She was a tall , homely woman with iron gray hair and a lined face . Beside her , the trim little Caroline Anne , with her light step and round , apple-red face , looked almost girlish . The two women walked to the barnyard , discussing Naomi in undertones as they went . The house they had left behind grew very still .
In Naomi XXXXX 's room the shadows were gathering .
Anne Charles Holland Naomi Spencer barnyard house left sister-in-law undertones