At least the builder has his buildings and the farmer has his crops. But what do we have? We might as well have practiced as soothsayers, for all our lack of usefulness.

Were it not for you, I would be long dead, I reminded him.

I am not so convinced, he said.

And without me, you would not be able to bend your elbow.

It is true. Perhaps, you are right. My Miriam used to always say that I had a penchant for pessimism.

You are a good doctor, Jacob. I am most proud to call you my colleague and my friend.

And I likewise. Now I have a favor to ask of you.

Anything.

You and Gabriella have become friendly in recent days.

She has cared for me as well as any doctor would have.

I am not blind, Rafael. I see how fond you have grown of one another. I hold no grudge or resentment over it. I understand affection does not follow the dictates of society or religion.

It is true, yes, Jacob.

Gabriella has her sister and brother, Rafael, he said. But they have families of their own and she will be still alone in this world. Promise me you will protect her as if she were your own kin.

I will, I said without hesitation. With my life, you have my word.

If she cannot be with one of our faith, it brings me peace to know that at least she will be with a learned doctor and a kind man, he said as he closed his eyes.

We spoke no words for a few minutes. Only the crackles of the fire and the gasps of his labored breathing filled the void. At one point I wondered if Jacob was slipping into the slumber of the dead, but then he stirred again.

Rafael, my family will never abandon me, he said.

Of course not, I reassured him.

You misunderstand me. Every moment I draw breath, I risk exposing them to this curse through my hostile vapors. Gabriella, in particular, will not be deterred.

Are you telling me that you want to die?

I will die. It is a matter of hours, a day at most. Why my frail body still resists when my mind and soul have already accepted my fate, I do not understand.

I reached out to him, but he recoiled. It will not be long now, my friend, I said.

It should be right now, he said as he directed his gaze toward the animal skin at his feet. It would be so easy.

I suddenly understood what he was asking of me. I backed a step away from the bed. No, Jacob, I said. You cannot ask this of me. My religion would not permit it. Neither would yours. It is a sin of the highest order.

How is it a sin to expedite the inevitable? he asked. Is it not our duty to address the suffering of our patients?

Please, Jacob, I said. Do not ask this of me.