Page:Aladdin O'Brien (1902).pdf/239

 "I tried to help you," said the girl, faintly, "but I wasn't very good at it."

"You were an angel," said Aladdin.

"I don't suppose we'll ever see each other again, will we?" said the girl.

"I don't know," said Aladdin. "Perhaps I'll come back some day."

"It's very silly of me—" said the girl.

"What?" said Aladdin.

"Nothing."

He closed his eyes, for he was very weak. It seemed as if a great sweetness came close to his face, and he could have sworn that something wet and hot fell lightly on his forehead; but when he opened his eyes, the girl was sitting aloof, her face in the shadow.

"I dreamed just then," said Aladdin, "that something wonderful happened to me. Did it?"

"What would you consider wonderful?"

Aladdin laid a finger on his forehead; he drew it away and saw that the tip was wet.

"I couldn't very well say," he said.