Page:Adams - A Child of the Age.djvu/112

100 stretched arms to my head, and thought. All at once I stopped with listening powers like a rock balanced on the edge, breathless, motionless.

A low knock came at the door.

'Come in,' I said, breathless, motionless.

The latch was lifted and the door opened a little.

'It's me,' said Rosy's low voice.

Then, the door opening a little, I saw her. 'Rosy,' she said, 'may I come in?'

I started and sat up straight.

'Yes,' I said.… 'Yes.' She came in: her face flushed, her eyes bright, her hair loosed a little round her head in wavy brown threads. I seemed to inhale her fairness like a soft sweet air. She said:

'I thought—that as—as you were going away in the morning—before I come back you know—and as I get up early—at seven—so as to be down at my work by eight—I thought … —that—that perhaps I—that perhaps you … wouldn't mind if I was to—if I …' She paused with an indrawn breath. Then I was with her, and had taken her hands.

'… What is it, Rosebud?' I said, with a trembling in me.

All at once two large tears came out of her eyes and trickled down her cheeks.

Then she looked at me steadfastly, trying to smile and not wink her eyelids, whose long lashes had crystal drops on them. The trembling passed out of me. I thought only of her distress. I put one arm round her, and so, holding her small body, stroked her soft brown hair back softly, saying: 'Why, Rosebud, you mustn't mind like that. I'll come back again some day!'

'Oh, you were so nice to me,' she said. 'But you will come back again to see me … some day—Eh?'

'Surely I will.—And bring you a bonnet with blue ribbons and a flower that … What is it?'

'… I don't want a bonnet!'

'—Not a bonnet?' '… No' … (piteously). 'I want you!'

'Very well then: I'll bring you me,' I said, 'some