Part 45 (1/2)

”No, no, I wasn't hurt at all--Mary. It was father who came nearer it.

He saved me.”

”Yes, I saw; but you had fallen. I couldn't get through the crowd until you had gone. And I wanted to KNOW.”

”Mary--would you--have minded?” he said.

There was a long interval before she answered.

”Yes.”

”Then why--”

”Yes, Bibbs?”

”I don't know what to say,” he cried. ”It's so wonderful to hear your voice again--I'm shaking, Mary--I--I don't know--I don't know anything except that I AM talking to you! It IS you--Mary?”

”Yes, Bibbs!”

”Mary--I've seen you from my window at home--only five times since I--since then. You looked--oh, how can I tell you? It was like a man chained in a cave catching a glimpse of the blue sky, Mary. Mary, won't you--let me see you again--near? I think I could make you really forgive me--you'd have to--”

”I DID--then.”