阅读理解The Last Leaf is a short story written by US writer O. Henry, one of the most famous short story writers in history. Let's find out part of the story in the following excerpt(节选).
Sue looked out of the window. All she saw was an old yellow and green ivy(常春藤) plant. The half-dead plant had few leaves on it because of the autumn winds.
"There are only five now, " said Joanna. "Five what, dear? What are you counting?"
"The ivy leaves, " replied Joanna. "When the last one goes, I'll die. I've known that for two days. Didn't the doctor tell you about it?"
"Joanna, don't say that. Now, have some soup and I'll finish my picture. "
"I don't want any soup, " said Joanna, looking out of the window. "Now there are only four. ""Joanna, dear, try to sleep. I must ask Mr Berman to come up. I want to draw a picture of him as a poor old farmer. "
Mr Berman, who was over 60 years old, lived downstairs. He was a painter too. Sue told him all about what Joann a said.
"She can't really think that this will happen! The poor woman, " he cried.
...
Finally, there was only one last leaf on the ivy plant. After a few windy days, the leaf was still there.
"Sue, " said Joanna, "I've been a bad girl. That last leaf is telling me that it was very wrong of me to want to die. Bring me some soup, dear. "
The next day, the doctor said, "She's out of danger. But poor Mr Berman downstairs are dying. There is no hope for him, I'm afraid. "
That afternoon Sue went into Joanna's bedroom. "Joanna, dear, Mr Berman died today. And do you know why? One terrible cold and wet night, he took a ladder(梯子) and some green and yellow paints and he climbed up. Look at the last ivy on the wall! Why didn't it ever move in the wind? Can't you see? It was Mr Berman's last great picture. "
