For the moment he spoke as though not only that old love, but she who
had caused it, were dead, and the tone of his voice made her shiver.
And the suffering he used to get--the suffering from trifles--the
foolish suffering from silly trifles!
He turned now, for he heard Judith walking toward him. She was looking
him straight in the eyes and was smiling strangely.
"I'm going to make you love me as you used to love me."
Her lips were left half parted from the whisper, and he could have
stooped and kissed her--something that never in his life had he done--he
knew that--but the old reverence came back from the past to forbid him,
and he merely looked down into her eyes, flushing a little.
"Yes," she said, gently. "And I think you are just tall enough."
In a flash her mood changed, and she drew his head down until she could
just touch his forehead with her lips. It was a sweet bit of
motherliness--no more--and Crittenden understood and was grateful.
"Go home now," she said.