Patricia Madigan was a girl who suffered from diphtheria. In the hospital he meets Frank who is admitted after being confirmed with typhoid fever. Patricia begins to recite the poem "The highwayman" by Alfred Noyes, this poem tells the story of two lovers where the protagonist dies to warn her lover and finally he also dies. When the nurse sees them talking, she sends Frank to another room because they could not speak those suffering from diphtheria and typhoid. Patricia tried to tell him through the poem that she was going to die soon as it happened with the protagonist of the poem and it happened, two days later she died. When being separated in the hospital Frank could recover, in spite of having been on the verge of death, he was healed and was discharged and did not run with the same fate of the protagonist of the poem.
Patricia is depicted as been generous and kind to Frank, and she gives him part of the candies she received from her relatives.
In the hospital, Frank read a book about the history and culture of Ireland. Frank also learns from Patricia, Shakespeare's songs. He started looking forward to lunch with her every afternoon. Sharing poetry with Patricia provides an opportunity for them to escape their reality—illness and poverty.
