I hadn't dreamed--I couldn't believe you would be
so good, so kind to me. Oh," he cried, with a sudden sharp breath, "oh,
you ARE kind. I--I--you have--have made me very happy."
"No, no," exclaimed Miss Baker, ready to sob. "It was unlady-like. You
will--you must think ill of me." She stood in the hall. The tears were
running down her cheeks, and she had no free hand to dry them.
"Let me--I'll take the tray from you," cried Old Grannis, coming
forward. A tremulous joy came upon him. Never in his life had he been
so happy. At last it had come--come when he had least expected it. That
which he had longed for and hoped for through so many years, behold, it
was come to-night. He felt his awkwardness leaving him. He was almost
certain that the little dressmaker loved him, and the thought gave him
boldness. He came toward her and took the tray from her hands, and,
turning back into the room with it, made as if to set it upon his table.
But the piles of his pamphlets were in the way. Both of his hands were
occupied with the tray; he could not make a place for it on the table.
He stood for a moment uncertain, his embarrassment returning.
"Oh, won't you--won't you please--" He turned his head, looking
appealingly at the little old dressmaker.
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