She thought it amply sufficient . One night Christopher Holland opened his swollen eyes as she bent over him . They were alone in the old house . It was raining outside , and the drops rattled noisily on the panes . Christopher smiled at his sister with parched lips , and put out a feeble hand toward her . `` Eunice , '' he said faintly , `` you 've been the best sister ever a man had . I have n't treated you right ; but you 've stood by me to the last . Tell Victoria -- tell her -- to be good to you -- '' His voice died away into an inarticulate murmur . Eunice Carr was alone with her dead . They buried Christopher Holland in haste and privacy the next day . The doctor disinfected the house , and Eunice was to stay there alone until it might be safe to make other arrangements . She had not shed a tear ; the doctor thought she was a rather odd person , but he had a great admiration for her . He told her she was the best nurse he had ever seen . To Eunice , praise or blame mattered nothing . Something in her life had snapped -- some vital interest had departed . She wondered how she could live through the dreary , coming years . Late that night she went into the room where her mother and brother had died . The window was open and the cold , pure air was grateful to her after the drug-laden atmosphere she had breathed so long . She knelt down by the stripped bed . `` Mother , '' she said aloud , `` I have kept my promise . ''
When she tried to rise , long after , she staggered and fell across the bed , with her hand pressed XXXXX her heart .
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