Good question. The answer depends on when you are asking. By that I mean, in the very first lines of the story she is dismissive. She flatly says, “Get along now. Take your schoolbooks and go. There’s nothing wrong with me.”

She doesn't take the illness seriously, and she tries to get the doctor to leave.

She then claims she is well; she denies the illness.

Then her attitude begins to change a bit. She welcomes the illness as a chance to rest and reflect (though she still doesn't really call it an illness).

Finally, though, I'd say her attitude is one of perspective. Her past ups and downs are so intense that this illness isn't that big a deal…even if it kills her.

Greg