The man’s eyes were looking at Mr. Eldridge Walcott, regarding him impartially. “I am glad that you did not let me know.” “Yes. I sent it back--once. But Tom wrote again--all about when we were children and when he gave me the biggest bites of candy and filled my pail up to the top when we went berrying-----He said it was what had made a man of him--keeping my pail full.” Eldridge winced a little. But she did not stop. “He said he wanted me to spend the money for the little girl _he_ knew. “I didn’t spend it--not for a long time, you know. But I kept it and I looked at it--sometimes--and wondered.... Then one day I saw a dress--that I liked. I thought it was like me, a little--?” She looked at him------ He nodded. “So I got it--and that was the end, I guess.” She laughed tremulously. “Everything kept coming after that. The dress seemed to make me need-- _everything!_” She spread out her hands. Then she sat thinking--and looking at the dress that needed everything. “I wore it at first just at home--when I was alone. I would put it on and sit down and fold my hands--and think of things... about Tom and about being a little girl--and about mother. I was always rested when I took it off... and when the children came in from school and you came home, I could bear things better.”.... He reached out a hand and touched hers where it lay on the table.... He had said that he should touch it--some time. He stroked it a minute and she went on. “Then I came here--” She made a little gesture. “I didn’t know what it was like--I didn’t even know there was a place like this.” She glanced around the alcove that sheltered them--with its folds of green curtain--“But as soon as I came, I knew I should come again. I knew it would take care of me--the way Tom wanted for me. So I spent the money.” She lifted the little linked purse from the table--she laughed. “Only fifty cents left--You ’re here just in time!” Eldridge held out his hand. “Give it to me.” She looked at him. “I want it--yes. Aren’t you willing to give me fifty cents--of your five hundred?” She handed it to him with a little sigh of relief. He took it and balanced it thoughtfully in his hand--“Why did you come to-day?” he asked. “This is my anniversary day.” “To-day?” She nodded--as if she saw a vision. “It is a year to-day that I came here--the first time.” “Alone--?” The word breathed itself--and stopped, and Eldridge put out a hand. “Don’t tell me! I did not ask it.” “Don’t you know?” She was looking at him. “Yes, I know. I do not understand--but I know.” She smiled and sat silent.... “I was frightened to come!” It seemed as if she were looking at the strangeness of it. “I was afraid--the first day--” “You should have asked me to come,” he urged. “Would you have come?” “No--not then.” “And I had to come! I could not wait--and there was--no one.... You would not have come--not even if I had waited.”