An Old Friend

by Joanne (5-T-3)

The visitor walked with a faintly military stride, his gray- ing bulk moving rapidly over the faded carpeting, causing the can- dles to incline their nervous flaming faces toward each other and exclaim in suspirant whispers over the tired shadow that labored behind the man, a musty Edwardian shadow.

"

The butler stopped at a small door and opened it, standing aside. "He is here, he announced simply and the visitor walked into the room.

The host stood up slowly, expectantly, and motioned the butler away. "Is it really you?" he said in a quavering voice, asking the question as though doubting the very presence of a truth too fort- unate to be believed. "Is it really you?" he said again. "Maxie?"

The visitor took a harsh vocal breath disguising such emotion as he felt. He stepped forward quickly and clasped his host rough- ly about the shoulders. "Rudolphe," he said. "Ach, God! Rudy, Rudy! So many many years.

11

"It has been long, Max. But here, sit down--sit down. You must be so tired, such a long trip." He led the visitor to a chair by the window.

"No, Rudy. The trip was not tiring. It is only me. I grow impatient with taking these old bones from one place to another-- that necessity is tiring. He shook his graying head in good humor. "Ah, but how good you look, Max-

His host, Rudolphe, laughed. ie. The years have been kind."

cue."

"And you, Rudy! But I don't tell you anything.

Anyone can

But now,

you must be

"Old friend, you're too complimentary. thirsty, hungry? How long can you stay? Your room is all prepared"

"Rudy,

The visitor raised a sturdy and protesting hand and shook his head. "No, tonight I must leave again. The world has changed, it does not wait for old friends."

24.