A vast regret welled up within him.

What was that on the back of his hand?
He wiped it dry with his ancient silk handkerchief.
Old Grannis leant his face in his hands.

Not only did an inexplicable regret stir within him, but a certain great tenderness came upon him.
The tears that swam in his faded blue eyes were not altogether those of unhappiness.

No, this long-delayed affection that had come upon him in his later years filled him with a joy for which tears seemed to be the natural expression.

For thirty years his eyes had not been wet, but tonight he felt as if he were young again.