She felt better after that. She had not gone to sleep now for many a night unkissed; it had seemed hard at first.
When she had gone half-way up stairs, Dick came to the door of his room on the first floor, and called her. He held the little kerosene lamp over his head; his face was grave and pale.
"I haven't said good night, Sene."
She made no reply.
"Asenath, good night."
She stayed her steps upon the stairs without turning her head. Her father had kissed her to-night. Was not that enough?
"Why, Sene, what's the matter with you?"
Dick mounted the stairs, and touched his lips to her forehead with a gently compassionate smile.
She fled from him with a cry like the cry of a suffocated creature, shut her door, and locked it with a ringing clang.
"She's walked too far, and got a little nervous," said Dick, screwing up his lamp; "poor thing!"