Summary

Pursuing a lead provided to her by the township’s school teacher, Lily finds herself at the front door of the community’s family doctor. Confusion ensues as the doctor first believes that Lily is there concerning a personal matter of her own, but the situation is quickly diffused as she explains that she is there concerning Geraldine Dillard’s illness.

Despite Dr. Berkins’s privacy policy concerning his patients, he deems Mrs. Dillard’s situation to be a unique circumstance. He informs Lily that Geraldine was diagnosed with tuberculosis and that she only had 2 or 3 months to live when she had come to him months prior. The doctor had recommended the Dearborn Sanitarium as a suitable facility for her, given her limited financial means, and he had not seen her since. Lily called the sanitarium and confirmed that Geraldine had indeed passed...