Tact

Observant of the way she told

       &nbsp So much of what was true,

No vanity could long withhold

       &nbsp Regard that was her due:

She spared him the familiar guile,

       &nbsp So easily achieved,

That only made a man to smile

       &nbsp And left him undeceived.

Aware that all imagining

       &nbsp Of more than what she meant

Would urge an end of everything,

       &nbsp He stayed; and when he went,

They parted with a merry word

       &nbsp That was to him as light

As any that was ever heard

       &nbsp Upon a starry night.

She smiled a little, knowing well

       &nbsp That he would not remark

The ruins of a day that fell

       &nbsp Around her in the dark:

He saw no ruins anywhere,

       &nbsp Nor fancied there were scars

On anyone who lingered there,

       &nbsp Alone below the stars.