How he wished she had not brought up these burning memories!
"I was broke, and I—" he managed to explain.
Lucia knew what he must be feeling now. She got up and went over to his side; she did not dare place her hand in his. Never must there be again that electric current between them. "But you're all right now, aren't you, Gil?"
He seemed abstracted, suddenly lost in another world. "Huh?" he uttered. Then, as if coming to himself, "Oh, my, yes! I'm doing splendidly now, Lucia!"
"I'm so glad, Gil. But you haven't answered my question yet."
"About my not coming to say good-bye?"
She nodded.
"It was pride, I suppose," he went on.
"Very foolish pride. And life is so short. You hurt me a great deal."