“I was only suggesting it, you know,” he said apologetically.
“Oh, I realized you did not mean it seriously.”
Her face grew ashen as her failure came to her afresh. She gazed at him with a final desperation.
“Then your answer—it is final?”
“I am sorry, but it is final,” said he.
Her head dropped.
“Thank you,” she said dully. “Good-by.” And she started away.
“Wait, Katherine.”
She paused, and he came to her side. His features were gray-hued and were twitching strangely; for an instant she had the wild impression that his old love for her still lived.
“I am sorry that—that the first time you asked aid of me—I should fail you. But but——”