ould be far
better company..."

"I'm too involved with my books, I fear. Studying all the time;
preparing lectures--while the ladies run off with younger rakes." He
glanced at her with a teasing half-smile. "I'll be thirty-five come
February."

Gretchen laughed to hear him say such things. But she was pleased that
she had guessed his age so nearly.

"I fear," he continued, "it is my fate to attend concerts alone, and
remain unwed all my life."

"Well," Gretchen replied, "there's something sad in that then, is there
not? Two studious people nearly of an age, with no other
attachments." She looked sidelong at him. "And with Christmas so
near..."

"Yes," he agreed, "there is a bit of sadness in that. Have you no
family nearby, Gretchen?"

"No, they're ALL in Connecticut--too far to visit this year, and my
rooming house would hardly be suitable for inviting them to visit me."

He laughed pleasantly at this. Yet she did not tell him that she was
estranged from her parents.

"Besides my family being far away--at twenty-nine, one cannot be
forever running home to one's parents, can one?" she asked.

"I do understand that," he said. "Fancy the two of us then, alone for
Christmas--it seems rather a shame."

"It does indeed," Gretchen answered looking away. Snow had begun to
fall, silently and hesitantly. The flakes, drifting between the empty
branches of trees along the avenue, seemed as large as walnuts; as
fluffy as eider down.

The professor laid his hand across Gretchen's gloved hand, suddenly
holding her fingers delicately beneath his. She smiled at him, looking
at his eyes; his mop of black hair, now bedecked with great white
snowflakes. They stopped walking for an instant, and she could see the
wisps of mist curling away from his mouth as he opened his lips. The
street was silent. He took a step toward her and she realized that she
was not looking far up into his eyes--he was not so much taller than
herself as she had imagined. She thought--suddenly aware of the
palpitation of her heart--she found herself hoping he would kiss her.
She believed he would kiss her, just then, and she let out her hot
breath. Mist escaped her expectant lips on the faintest of breezes.

They stood for a long moment, facing each other until he turned slowly
and stepped forward. Gretchen continued walking beside him with her
hand upon his arm. They crossed the street and at last were near her
rooming house. S