"Goofy," he said.
She nodded. "But Judge Basine is made, don't you think?"
He took her hand.
"So you left him," he smiled. They sat in silence. He would wait for her to take the lead. She began talking as the park grew darker.
"I didn't intend coming," she said, "because I ... I know what you want."
Her voice quivered and her fingers tightened over his hand.
"But I came to tell you ... I can't. I'm not being foolish or anything. But—it isn't worth it."
He looked at her and wondered. The invitation was clear. He must begin pleading now and making love. He hesitated because she had started crying. Tears were on her cheeks.
She was remembering Basine.
"Don't," he whispered. "I wouldn't ask you to do anything like that. We've talked, of course. But that was just talk. Ruth, I love you."