But he was not fooled at all. Not he. He had been enough. He knew why she had come, in the kindness of heart. (She was so little. Good heavens, a man could crush her to nothing!) She had come because she was sorry for him, and she had brought forgiveness. It was like her. It was fine. It was damnable. His voice hardened, for fear it might be soft. “Is this a professional visit, or a Christmas call, Elizabeth? Or perhaps I shouldn't call you that.” “A Christmas call?” “You know what I mean. The day of peace. The day--what do you think I'm made of, Elizabeth? To have you here, gentle and good and kind--” He got up and stood over her, tall and almost threatening. “You've been to church, and you've been thinking things over, I know. I was there. I heard it all, peace on earth, goodwill to men. Bosh. Peace, when there is no peace. Good will! I don't want your peace and good will.” She looked up at him timidly. “You don't want to be friends, then?” “No. A thousand times, no,” he said violently. Then, more gently: “I'm making a fool of myself. I want your peace and good will, Elizabeth. God knows I need them.” “You frighten me, Dick,” she said, slowly. “I didn't come to bring forgiveness, if that is what you mean. I came--” “Don't tell me you came to ask it. That would be more than I can bear.” “Will you listen to me for a moment, Dick? I am not good at explaining things, and I'm nervous. I suppose you can see that.” She tried to smile at him. “A--a little work, a sleep, a little love, that's life, isn't it?” He was watching her intently. “Work and trouble, and a long sleep at the end for which let us be duly thankful--that's life, too. Love? Not every one gets love.” Hopelessness and despair overwhelmed her. He was making it hard for her. Impossible. She could not go on. “I did not come with peace,” she said tremulously, “but if you don't want it--” She rose. “I must say this, though, before I go. I blame myself. I don't blame you. You are wrong if you think I came to forgive you.” She was stumbling toward the door. “Elizabeth, what did bring you?” She turned to him, with her hand on the door knob. “I came because I wanted to see you again.” He strode after her and catching her by the arm, turned her until he faced her. “And why did you want to see me again? You can't still care for me. You know the story. You know I was here and didn't see you. You've seen Leslie Ward. You know my past. What you don't know--” He looked down into her eyes. “A little work, a little sleep, a little love,” he repeated. “What did you mean by that?” “Just that,” she said simply. “Only not a little love, Dick. Maybe you don't want me now. I don't know. I have suffered so much that I'm not sure of anything.” “Want you!” he said. “More than anything on this earth.”