And
the man knew THAT, even as he talked to her and me, knew it as well
as she did, that my steps to duty were--first, separation, then
abandonment. At the touch of that thought my dream of a return
was shattered. I turned on the man suddenly, as he was imagining
his eloquence was gaining ground with me.
"'What have I to do with these things now?' I said. 'I have done
with them. Do you think I am coquetting with your people in coming
here?'
"'No,' he said; 'but--'
"'Why cannot you leave me alone? I have done with these things.
I have ceased to be anything but a private man.'
"'Yes,' he answered. 'But have you thought?--this talk of war,
these reckless challenges, these wild aggressions--'
"I stood up.
"'No,' I cried. 'I won't hear you. I took count of all those things,
I weighed them--and I have come away.'
"He seemed to consider the possibility of persistence. He looked
from me to where the lady sat regarding us.
"'War,' he said, as if he were speaking to himself, and then turned
slowly from me and walked away. I stood, caught in the whirl of
thoughts his appeal had set going.
"I heard my lady's voice.
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