He did the next thing.
"Don't cry," he said gently.

"Here, take mine." He pressed his handkerchief on her.

He blessed Heaven that it was uncrumpled.
Now there is something about one's lending another a handkerchief that goes far toward breaking down the barriers of conventionality and bridges years.

Keith in a moment had come to feel a friendliness for the girl that he might not have felt in years, and he began to soothe her.
"I don't know what is the matter--with me," she said, as she dried her eyes.

"I am not--usually so--weak and foolish.