On her way home, Lily takes a seat in Bryant Park. She encounters Nettie Crane Struther, the young woman from the Girls’ Club who had been the beneficiary of Lily’s charity. Nettie is married to a motor-man, and is the mother of an infant daughter whom she has named in honor of Lily.
Lily retires to her boardinghouse, and goes through the remainder of her possessions. A maid brings her a letter, which contains the $10,000 legacy check. She considers how to spend the money to pay her bills, and realizes the loneliness of her solitude. She writes a check for repayment in full to Trenor as well as a bank deposit slip for the check.
She remembers the chemist’s advice about using too much of the chloral prescription but does not heed it. She carelessly overdoses and drifts off into her final sleep.
