«No, but sometimes I feel twenty-four.»
«Yes, and sometimes you almost act it.»
«Do I really.»
«Now sit still there, don't bound around, we've a lot to discuss. It's very important that we understand exactly what is happening, don't you agree?»
«Yes, I guess so.»
«First, let's admit that we are the greatest and the best friends of the world. Let's admit I have never had a student like you, nor I had as much affection for any boy I've ever know.» He flushed at this. She went on. «And let me speak for you — you've found me to be the nicest teacher of all teachers you've ever know.»
«Oh, more than that.» He said.
«Perhaps more than that, but there are facts to be faced and an entire way of life to be considered. I've thought this over for a good many days, Bob. Don't think I missed anything, or been unaware of my own feelings in the matter. Under any normal circumstances our friendship would be odd indeed. But then you are no ordinary boy. I know my self pretty well, I think, and I know I'm not sick, either mentally or physically, and that whatever has evolved here has been true regard for your character and goodness, Bob; but those are not the things we consider in this world, Bob, unless they occur in a man of certain age. I don't know if I'm saying this right.»
«It's all right.» He said. «It's just if I was ten years older and about fifteen inches taller it'd make all the difference, and that's silly,» he said «to go by tall a person is.»
«The world hasn't found it so.»
«I'm not all the world.» He protested.
«I know it seem foolish.» She said. «When you feel very grown up and right and have nothing to be ashamed of. You have nothing at all to be ashamed off, Bob, remember that. You have been very honest and good, and I hope I have been, too.»
«You have.» He said.
«In an ideal climate, Bob, maybe someday they will be able to judge the oldness of a person's mind so accurately that you can say 'This is a man, though is body is only thirteen; by miracle of circumstances and fortune, this is a man, with a man's recognition of responsibility and position and duty'; but until that day, Bob, I'm afraid we are going to have to go by ages and heights and ordinary way in an ordinary world.»
«I don't like that.» He said.
«Perhaps I don't like it, either, but do you want to end up far unhappier than you are now? Do you want both of us to be unhappy? Which we certainly would be. There really is no way to do anything about us — it is so strange even to try to talk about us.»
«Yes'm.»
«But at least we know all about us and the fact of that we have been right and fair and good and there is nothing wrong with our knowing each other, nor did we ever intended that it should be, for both understand how impossible it is, don't we?»
«Yes, I know. But I can't help it.»
«Now we must decide what to do about it.» She said. «Now only you and I know about this. Later, other might know. I can secure a transfer from this school to another one — ―»
«No!»
«Or I can have you transferred to another school.»
«You don't have to do that.» He said.
«Why?»
«We're moving. My folks and I, we're going to live in Madison. We're leaving next week.»
«It has nothing to do with all this, has it?»
«No, no, everything's all right. It's just that my father has a new job there. It's only fifty miles away. I can see you, can't I, when I come to town?»
«Do you think that would be a good idea?»
«No, I guess not.»
They sat awhile in the silent schoolroom.
«When did all of this happen?» he said, helplessly.
«I don't know.» She said. «Nobody ever knows. They haven't known for thousands of years. And I don't think they ever will. People either like each other or don't, and sometimes two people like each other who shouldn't. I can't explain myself, and certainly you can't explain you.»
«I guess I'd better get home.» He said.
«You're not mad at me, are you?»
«Oh, gosh no, I could never be mad at you.»
«There's one more thing. I want you to remember, there are compensations in life. There always are, or we wouldn't go on living. You don't feel well, now; neither do I. But something will happen to fix that. Do you believe that?»
«I'd like to.»
«Well, it's true.»
«If only.» He said.
«What?»
«If only you'd wait for me.» He blurted.
«Ten years?»
«I'd be twenty-four then.»
«But I'd be thirty-four and another person entirely, perhaps. No, I don't think it can be done.»
«Wouldn't you like it to be done?» He cried.
«Yes.» She said quietly. «It's silly and it wouldn't work, but I would like it very much.»
He sat there a long time.
«I'll never forget you.» He said.
«It's nice for you to say that, even though it can be true, because life isn't that way. You'll forget.»