L. Frank Baum

“ Why should I disturb my mamma more than a nurse?" asked Alora pleadingly.
He evaded the question. The big eyes disconcerted him.
"When I have seen your mother," said he, "I may let you go to her for a few minutes. But you must be very quiet, so as not to excite her. We must avoid anything of an exciting nature. You understand that, don't you, Lory?"
She studied his face gravely. When he held out a hand to her she clung to it desperately and a shudder again shook her from head to foot.
"Tell me, Doctor Anstruther," in low, passionate tones, "is my mother dying?" ”

“ The doctor sat, notebook in hand, musing. The matter-of-fact, businesslike way in which she referred to her marital relations and her assumed unconcern over her own dreadful fate impressed the good man as extraordinary. But he was relieved to know that little Alora, of whom he had grown quite fond, was to have the guardianship of a parent, and glad that the character of Jason Jones was above reproach. The man's failure to succeed as an artist, while it might have been a source of chagrin to his art-loving wife, did not lower him to any extent in Dr. Anstruther's opinion. ”

“ Bravery had always been Tony Seaver's prime characteristic. To Doctor Anstruther it seemed that she might as well know the truth which she had demanded from his lips.
"This disease is one that accelerates toward the end," he said. "Within the past few days we have noted its more virulent tendency. All we can do now is to keep you from suffering until—the end."
"And that will be—when?" she demanded.
"I think I can safely give you a week but——"
"Then I must act at once," she said, as he hesitated. "I must, first of all, make provision for Alora's future, and in this I require your help." ”