59. What is Becky doing when Tom explores caves using the kite line?

Becky rested while Tom explored the caves. She was weak, hungry, and exhausted. She was also giving into hopelessness.

But Becky was very weak. She had sunk into a dreary apathy and would not be roused. She said she would wait, now, where she was, and die—it would not be long. She told Tom to go with the kite-line and explore if he chose; but she implored him to come back every little while and speak to her; and she made him promise that when the awful time came, he would stay by her and hold her hand until all was over.