It seemed impossible that Peg would never come back any more.
She had always been so alive! Oh, it could not be really true that she was dead.
A half-finished pink-backed novelette lay on the bed where Peg had flung it down unfinished last night when she went out, and Faith took it up with reverent fingers.
She opened it at the page Peg had been reading, and of which she had turned down the corner, and her eyes fell on the words:
"But the beautiful girl had died with a smile on her rosy red lips. She had given her life for love, and for love's dear sake, and was content...."
Faith shivered. Peg had died the death she would have chosen, had the choice been given to her, she knew, and yet....
"If I could only see her again!" The thought rushed through Faith's heart with passionate longing.
Peg had been such a true friend. A thousand little memories came crowding back to her as she stood there in the rainbow room which Peg had so adored.
Just to see her for a moment, just to say she was sorry, to ask her pardon, to thank her for all she had done.
But it was too late. The most passionate prayer in all the world can never put back the hand of time even for one second.