The girl straightened. “You think I do not understand,” came her clearer voice. “But I do. More than you, perhaps.... You need not give me your address.”
Fanny was warm and broken against the clearness of Clara.—What does this mean? Why do I reject her? She was still.
“Good-by,” said Clara.
—You need me. You need me? Say that you need me, girl.
The hand of each held more than the hand of the other.
“It’s all right....” A moment Clara smiled. Then her eyes looked within, they met the eyes of Fanny deeply in a far space where they were not apart.
“Good-by.”
—There is love in you. Love, love. What wisdom? You are not saying, Good-by. You are saying, Love!
Fanny was still. And alone.
* * *