"They wish to depart." The guard went toward the door, followed by Mrs.French, who stood waiting with hands outstretched toward the weeping Paulina.

As the door swung open, the children came forth, but upon the threshold Paulina paused, glanced into the cell, ran back and throwing herself at the prisoner's feet, seized his hand and kissed it again and again with loud weeping.
For a single instant the man yielded her his hand, and then in a voice stern but not unkind, he said, "Go.

My children are in your keeping.

Be faithful." At once the woman rose and came back to the door where Mrs.French stood waiting for her.
As they passed on, the guard turned to the men and said briefly, "Come." As they were about to enter the cell, the boy suddenly left Paulina's side, ran to Simon Ketzel and clutching firm hold of his hand said, "Let me go with you." "Go back," said the guard, but the boy still clung to Ketzel's hand.
"Oh, let him go," said Mrs.French.

"He will do no harm." And the guard gave grudging permission.
With a respectful, almost reverential mien, the men entered the cell, knelt before the prisoner and kissed his hand.