One fine late summer morning when cheery sunshine was pouring into the windows; Marilla was surprised to find Jamie not up and knocking at her door as he usually did at daybreak. Sleeping in was not something that Jamie had ever gotten the knack for. Walking into his room she jauntily announced, "Time to get up, sleepy head!" but was dismayed to find his little body curled up in its usual sleeping position. She turned him over to see blue lips in his pale face. She gave a cry of anguish and pulled his lax body into her arms. It was too late, he had perished in his sleep. The girls came running and were distressed to see her moaning and sobbing with their dead brother in her arms.

Mary ran out to the barn screaming "Papa! Papa come quickly!" John appeared, worried by Mary's cries. "Papa, I think Jamie has died" she sobbed. He ran into the house and found Marilla wailing with a motionless Jamie in her arms, his head lolling on her shoulder. She looked up at him, eyes streaming, and cried, "He died, our gorgeous son has died." John swiftly knelt down to gather Marilla and Jamie into his arms and they wept together.