Well, good-bye, Fifi."
Fifi held out both her tiny hands, and he received them because, in the
sudden emergency, he could think of no way of avoiding them.
"You'll remember what I said about friends, and _men_--won't you, Mr.
Queed? Remember it begins with liking people, liking everybody. Then
when you really like them you want to do things for them, and that is
happiness."
He looked surprised at this definition of happiness, and then: "Oh--I
see. That's your religion, isn't it?"
"No, it's just common sense."
"I'll remember. Well, Fifi, good-bye."
"Good-bye--and thank you for everything."
Into her eyes had sprung a tenderness which he was far from
understanding. But he did not like the look of it in the least, and he
extricated his hands from the gentle clasp with some abruptness.
From the safe distance of the door he looked back, and wondered why
Fifi's great eyes were fixed so solemnly on him.
"Well--good-bye, again. Hurry up and get well--"
"Good-bye--oh, good-bye," said Fifi, and turned her head toward the open
window with the blue skies beyond.
Did Fifi know? How many have vainly tortured themselves with that
question, as they have watched dear ones slipping without a word down
the slopes to the dark Valley! If this child knew that her name had been
read out for the greater Graduation, she gave no sign.
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