The man came nearer in surprise, caught her hands, peered into her face. Then his own softened. “What is it?” he asked.
They sank down together on the divan, hands still clasped tightly, something old and yet new, flooding back and forth between them.
“What is it?” Tom asked again. “There is something ... tell me.”
And then suddenly the woman knew that into her own hard faded eyes there had come again the gladness of youth.
“I had a visit to-day,” she said slowly, “from a little girl of thirty years ago. A little girl I had forgotten. She brought me something precious.”
Tom looked at her wonderingly. “Will she come again? Often?” he begged.
Alice shook her head and smiled. “There is no need,” she answered softly. “For she and her gift have come to stay!”
FOOTNOTES:
[16] By permission of the author and “McCall’s Magazine.” Copyright 1926 by “McCall’s Magazine.”