said.

Rachel knew there was something very sad in his eyes and voice.
She longed to kiss him again and comfort him. But suddenly he
began to laugh, and then he rummaged out some goodies for her to
eat, sweetmeats more delicious than she had ever imagined. While
she nibbled them he took down an old violin and played music that
made her want to dance and sing. Rachel was perfectly happy.
She wished she might stay forever in that low, dim room with all
its treasures.

"I see your little friends coming around the point," he said,
finally. "I suppose you must go. Put the rest of the goodies in
your pocket."

He took her up in his arms and held her tightly against his
breast for a single moment. She felt him kissing her hair.

"There, run along, little girl. Good-by," he said gently.

"Why don't you ask me to come and see you again?" cried Rachel,
half in tears. "I'm coming ANYHOW."

"If you can come, COME," he said. "If you don't come, I shall
know it is because you can't--and that is much to know. I'm
very, very, VERY glad, little woman, that you have come once."

Rachel was sitting demurely on the skids when her companions came
back. They had not seen her leaving the house, and she said not
a word to them of her experiences. She only smiled mysteriously