He stopped at a little distance from her, hat in hand.
He was very thin, worn and old-looking, and in the failing light might have been taken for a tall, gentle ghost; yet his shoulders were squared and he held himself as straight as he had the first time she had ever seen him.
"Mrs.Tanberry told me I should find you here," he said, hesitatingly.
"I have come to say good-by." She did not turn toward him, nor did more than her lips move as she answered, "Good-by," and her tone was neither kind nor cold, but held no meaning whatever, not even indifference.
There was an interval of silence; then, without surprise, he walked sadly to the gate, paused, wheeled about suddenly, and returned with a quick, firm step.
"I will not go until I know that I do not misunderstand you," he said, "not even if there is only the slightest chance that I do.

I want to say something to you, if you will let me, though naturally I remember you once asked me never to speak to you again.

It is only that I have thought you did that under a misconception, or else I should still obey you.

If you--" "What is it that you wish to say ?" Her tone was unchanged.
"Only that I think the hardest time for you has passed, and that--" "Do you ?" she interrupted.
"Yes," he returned, "the saddest of your life.

I think it has gone forever.