"Now, you must go, dear."

The younger woman stood up. "It has been such a comfort to talk to you. I
think I should have killed myself if I had not come. You help me so. I
shall always be grateful to you."

The older woman took her hand.

"I want to ask something of you."

"What is it?"

"I cannot quite explain to you. You will not understand. But there are
times when something more terrible can come into a life than it should lose
what it loves. If you have had a dream of what life ought to be, and you
try to make it real, and you fail; and something you have killed out in
your heart for long years wakes up and cries, 'Let each man play his own
game, and care nothing for the hand of his fellow! Each man for himself.
So the game must be played!' and you doubt all you have lived for, and the
ground seems washing out under your feet--." She paused. "Such a time has
come to me now. If you would promise me that if ever another woman comes
to seek your help, you will give it to her, and try to love her for my
sake, I think it will help me. I think I should be able to keep my faith."

"Oh, I will do anything you ask me to. You are so good and great."

"Oh, good and great!--if you knew! Now go, dear."

"I have not kept you from your work, have I?"