But very soon I could not see to do it.

I was crying myself, for the pity of it all, and my tears trickled down and fell on her thin hands.

And so I kneeled, and she half lay and half sat upon the floor, with her head resting on my shoulder; I was glad then to be old, for I felt that I had a right to comfort her.
Presently she looked up into my face, and saw that I was weeping.

She did not speak, but found her little lace handkerchief, and pressed it to my eyes,--first to one, and then to the other; and the action brought a faint maidenly flush to her cheeks through all her own sorrow.

A daughter could not have done it more kindly.
"My child," I said at last, "be sure that your secret is safe in me.
But there is one coming with whom it will be safer." "You are so good," she said, and her head sank once more, and nestled against my breast, so that I could just see the bright tresses through my gray beard.