He stepped outside, then turned to her.

She stood in the doorway, the light from the room melting the darkness about them.
They looked long at each other.

Then in a sudden impulse of gratitude, of generous feeling toward her, he put out his arm and drew her to him.
She was cold, impassive.

He bent over and lightly kissed her closed, unresponding lips.

As he drew away, her hand caught his wrist for a second.
"I'm _glad_!" she said.
He tried to answer, but could only say, "Good night, Mara!" Then he turned, drew the wide collar of his coat well up, and went down the narrow path through the snow.