The air, the leaves, the birds, all spoke of life.
It was hard to think that death was closing its grip upon him who owned them all.

A plump little gentleman in black was just descending the steps.
"Well, doctor," the merchant asked, "how is your patient ?" "You've not come with the intention of seeing him, have you ?" the doctor asked, glancing up with some curiosity at the grey face and overhanging eyebrows of the merchant.
"Yes, I am going up to him now." "It is a most virulent case of typhoid.

He may die in an hour or he may live until nightfall, but nothing can save him.

He will hardly recognize you, I fear, and you can do him no good.

It is most infectious, and you are incurring a needless danger.