He struggled to speak.
“Good-bye, Ruth.” He bent nearer. “May I not kiss you ... for auld lang syne?”
She withdrew her hand. Her voice was tremulous and low. “We are not playmates now, Matt.”
He held up the photograph.
“Then I will kiss the girl I used to know.”
He pressed his lips reverentially to it.
She smiled sadly.
“Good-bye again, dear Matt. God bless you.”
He hurried from the room, overwhelmed with emotion. The door closed upon him, and he leaned against the balustrade for a moment to recover himself.
Clack! clack! clack! clack! clack!