Paula the Waldensian - Eva Lecomte

"Is there nothing you would like us to do for you? No word to send to
some friend or relative?"
"I have no other friend but Cordero, the cat. What will become of him?"
Teresa hated cats, and we never dared bring one into the home, but now
we saw a struggle going on within her, and finally she said, "Would you be
happy if we took him home with us?"
"Oh, indeed, yes," said the poor dying woman, "but please don't take
him yet. Leave him with me until the end. He has been my only comfort and
the nights are so long."
Louisa, however, did not remain alone any longer, for Teresa and
several kind neighbors took their turns night and day to care for the poor
invalid. Teresa brought from home pillows and blankets, and had a good hot
fire always going in the grate. Dr. Lebon was called immediately, but it was
too late; he could only make her last hours more comfortable. A few days
later she died in Teresa's arms. A beautiful smile on the yellow wrinkled face
gave it a happy expression that had never been seen there before.
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