"And I took your last penny?" said Phyllis, gently. "Why did you not tell me then?"
"I was twenty-two and proud," said I. "Where are you going?" for she had risen.
"I'll be back in a moment," she said, as she left the room. When she returned she put out her hand. On the palm lay two bright American dimes.
"What's this?" I asked.
"The change."
"Very good!" laughed Pembroke.
I said nothing, but took out my wallet. In opening it to put in the dimes, something fell to the floor. It was Gretchen's rose.
"What is that?" asked Phyllis, as I stooped to pick it up.
"It is the end of a story," I answered. I busied myself with the fire till the poker grew too hot.
"How many romances commonplace wallets contain?" said Pembroke, sententiously.