"Because I couldn't."
"Well, I couldn't, either."
"Why?" cried the girl passionately. "Why has everything got to change? Why should you tell me you would be there always and then never come again? Why?"
Osmond regarded her in what seemed a sad well-wishing.
"Youth can't last," he said. "That was youth. We are grown up now."
Tears gathered in her eyes. The finality of his tone seemed to be consigning her to fruitless days without the joy of dreams.
"Well," he added, "it doesn't matter. You are going away."
"You said once I should take the key of the playhouse with me."
He smiled humorously, as at a child who must, if it is possible, be allowed some pleasure in the game.
"Take it, playmate," he said.