“Auntie,” her niece told her, “Mr. Rhodes is going.[Pg 291]”
“Oh, is he?” said Miss Carter.
She dried her hands, took off her apron, and came out to the front door.
“Good night, Mr. Rhodes,” she said.
“Good night,” he answered.
She could not see him. It was dark out there. She hoped she would never see him again, never remember his face, never think of the words that he had not spoken.
The front door closed, and he was gone. Miss Carter and Maude stood alone in the dimly lit hall, and for a time neither of them spoke or stirred.
“Well!” said Miss Carter briskly. “Time we were in bed, child.”
“Yes,” replied Maude, just as briskly. “It’s late.”
Then they looked at each other and smiled. With their arms about each other they went up the stairs and through the dark house, with all its orderly, empty rooms; and at Maude’s door they said good night, both of them still smiling. That was their way.