She was trembling still. He gazed at her helplessly, as one who has done wrong without intent.
"Annikki!" he said imploringly. "Forgive me, Annikki. I don't know what made me do it. If you only knew how sorry I am."
The girl looked up, smiling through her tears. "I know—I know you would never try to hurt me."
"And you'll be just the same now—as if nothing had happened—will you?"
He took her hand, and his eyes sought hers. And trustingly she gave him both.
"May I put them there again?" he asked shyly, picking up the flowers from the ground.
The girl laughed; the blossom laughed.
"And then I must go—mother is waiting."
"Must you?"
They rose to their feet, and he fastened the blossoms at her breast.