"Oh yes. Here's your father. And . . . Why not. Perhaps it is just as
well you came out. Between us two? Is that it? I won't pretend I don't
understand. I am not blind. But I can't fight any longer for what I
haven't got. I don't know what you imagine has happened. Something has
though. Only you needn't be afraid. No shadow can touch you--because I
give up. I can't say we had much talk about it, your father and I, but,
the long and the short of it is, that I must learn to live without
you--which I have told you was impossible. I was speaking the truth. But
I have done fighting, or waiting, or hoping. Yes. You shall go."
At this point Mr. Powell who (he confessed to me) was listening with
uncomprehending awe, heard behind his back a triumphant chuckling sound.
It gave him the shudders, he said, to mention it now; but at the time,
except for another chill down the spine, it had not the power to destroy
his absorption in the scene before his eyes, and before his ears too,
because just then Captain Anthony raised his voice grimly. Perhaps he
too had heard the chuckle of the old man.
Pages:
634
635
636
637
638
639
640
641
642
643
644
645
646
647
648
649
650
651
652
653
654
655
656
657
658