Dick looked her straight in the eyes. "I am a gentleman, Miss
Goodrich," was all he said.
Then as they reached the steps of the house, she held out her hand. "I thank you for your kindness—and please don't think of me too harshly. I know I am not just the girl I was a year ago, but I—do you remember our talk at the printing office?"
"Every word," said Dick.
"Well, has my prophecy come true?"
"About my preaching? No; not yet."
"Oh, I don't mean that," with a shrug of her shoulders. "I mean about the other. Do you still value my friendship?"
Dick hesitated. "The truth, please," she said. "I want to know."
"Miss Goodrich, I cannot make you understand; you know my whole life has changed the last year."
"Yes."
"But my feelings toward you can never change. I do value your friendship, for I know that your present life does not satisfy you, and that you are untrue to your best self in living it."