“The year before, that is three years ago now, we waited in Italy, as we had promised to do, for you to join us. But you never even wrote to say why you did not come. And you haven’t explained it yet, Rex.”
Gethryn grew pale. This was what he had been expecting. He knew it would have to come; in fact he had wished for nothing more than an opportunity for making all the amends that were possible under the circumstances. But the possible amends were very, very inadequate at best, and now that the opportunity was here, his courage failed, and he would have shirked it if he could. Besides, for the last five minutes, Ruth had been innocently stirring memories that made his heart beat heavily.
And now she was waiting for her answer. He glanced at the clear profile as she walked beside him. Her eyes were raised a little; they seemed to be idly following the windings of a path that went up the opposite mountainside; her lips rested one upon the other in quiet curves. He thought he had never seen such a pure, proud looking girl. All the chivalry of a generous and imaginative man brought him to her feet.
“I cannot explain. But I ask your forgiveness. Will you grant it? I won’t forgive myself!”
She turned instantly and gave him her hand, not smiling, but her eyes were very gentle. They walked on a while in silence, then Rex said:
“Ever since I came, I have been trying to find courage to ask pardon for that unpardonable conduct, but when I looked in your dear mother’s face, I felt myself such a brute that I was only fit to hold my tongue. And I believed,” he added, after a pause, “that she would forgive me too. She was always better to me than I deserved.”
“Yes,” said Ruth.
“And you also are too good to me,” he continued, “in giving me this chance to ask your pardon.” His voice took on the old caressing tone in which he used to make peace after their boy and girl tiffs. “I knew very well that with you I should have a stricter account to settle than with your mother,” he said, smiling.
“Yes,” said Ruth again. And then with a little effort and a slight flush she added:
“I don’t think it is good for men when too many excuses are made for them. Do you?”