It seemed brutal to tell her that it had been in vain . But Eunice had seen it for herself . She took it very calmly , the doctor thought . And she had her reward at last -- such as it was . 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 XXXXX .
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