i have never said these words to any woman before in my life . i am sorry . please forgive me , della . i wo n't ever hurt you again . '' she stops struggling and he lets her go . she swivels around to face him . '' why should you want my forgiveness , now ? '' '' well , because i want another chance with you ,
della

a heartbeat later , she felt william 's strong arms wrapping themselves around her , hugging her against him the way he 'd done last night . '' it 's all right , '' he whispered as he gently stroked the top of her head . '' you did the right thing . '' his words of kindness forced another sob from deep inside her chest . '' i do n't know what to do ,
william

but then as i placed the treats in his spidery snow-white fingers , he smiled a creaky , crackly , skinny - toothed smile . even his bulging eyes seemed to twinkle . '' see you ! '' i said , dancing down the steps . i had met the creepy man ! everyone in town could say they had gotten candy from him , but who else could say they had given him a
treat