Part 17 (1/2)
Randall made a wry face. That was all.
”Yes, it's true, Harry, G.o.d's truth. I asked you a peculiar question a while ago,--asked whether I ought to marry. I didn't mean it; I was just maudlin. I know without asking that I mustn't. Even if Elice would consent--and I think she would consent yet, she's game--I mustn't. I'm waking up more all the time.”
”Steve, you're maddening--impossible. I tell you, Elice will never change. You know it without my telling you.”
”Yes, I know. It's I who have changed.” He remembered suddenly. ”Yes; it's I who have changed,” he repeated slowly.
”Well, you'll change back again then.” The effort to be severe and commonplace was becoming c.u.mulatively difficult. ”You must.”
”Must change back--and marry Elice?”
”Yes,” desperately.
”No, not if by a miracle I could change back.”
”Why? For heaven's sake, why? Don't be a fool, man.”
”Why?” without heat. ”Do you really wish to know why?”
”Yes.”
Armstrong deliberated.
”You yourself are one reason, friend Harry.”
”I--I don't understand.”
”Yes, you do. I'm not without observation. You yourself wouldn't advise me to marry now.”
”Steve!”
”You wouldn't, and you know you wouldn't. No offence. We're simply looking things squarely in the eye. It's merely the tragedy of pennies among evolved humans who require dollars to live--and must live. Am I not right, friend of mine?”
No severity this time, no commonplace--nothing.
”I repeat, no offence; just square in the eye. Am I not right?”
”Right? I don't know. I can't answer.” A sudden blaze. ”You have no right to suggest--”
”No. Pardon me.” Armstrong's face worked in spite of himself. ”Forget that I did suggest, Harry. It was brutal of me.”
Randall said nothing.
”But with Elice and myself it's different. I've awakened in time.
Providence, perhaps, sometimes when we least expect it--”
”Steve!” Randall had glanced up quickly, self for the moment in abeyance.
”What do you intend doing, tell me that?”
”Doing?” It was almost surprise. ”Have you any honest doubt yet, after what I've told you?” He halted, scrutinizing his friend's face, and seemed satisfied. ”I'm going to release her; release her unqualifiedly. I can at least be man enough to do that.”