"Alice," he said again. And then, as slowly she looked up at him, he asked her for her hand. "You may give it me," he said, "as to an old friend." She put her hand in his hand, and then, withdrawing it, felt that she must never trust herself to do so again.

"Alice," he said. "May I take your hand - as an old friend?" She put her hand in his, and then, withdrawing it, felt that she must never trust herself to do so again.
