e.
"Why are you suddenly leaving, Edith? When will you come back?" Charlene anxiously held onto her little friend''s hands.
"You''re not coming back, are you?" Raphael quickly followed up. It would be years later when he realised that his ominous pessimism had already shown its signs.
"I don''t know. My home here is gone. Even if I come back, I might not have a place to stay," Edith replied.
"Oh, poor, poor Edith!" Charlene immediately understood her friend''s meaning and hugged her tightly.
The two little girls pressed their cheeks together and cried.
Reluctant to part, they exchanged many intimate words and kissed each other''s cheeks again and again.
"Adieu, adieu!" It was not until the sky had completely darkened that Edith finally walked away in the direction of the village, turning to look back at every step.
Throughout it all, she never came over to give him a hug.
It rained heavily that night. Raphael stood by the window crying. With the raindrops on his face, no one could tell that he was shedding tears.