"Of course I'll see you when I come out to Chicago again," I said as we shook hands at parting.
William looked up at the sky, much as a man will look for signs of rain. Then with another smile he let his eyes drift slowly downward from the heavens.
"Well," he said in his nasal drawl, "I guess I'll see you again some time—some place."
I turned and moved away.
Then, of a sudden, a back gate swung open with a violent bang against the fence, and four or five boys in short trousers leaped out and ran, yelling, helter-skelter up the alley.
I had the curious feeling that among them was the boy I used to be.