Shoot them, the
poor devils, drown them, exterminate them, if you will, in the interest
of public morality; it may be morality would gain--I dare say it would!
But if you suffer them to live, let them live on their own terms and
according to their own inexorable needs!"
Rowland burst out laughing. "I have no wish whatever either to shoot you
or to drown you!" he said. "Why launch such a tirade against a warning
offered you altogether in the interest of your freest development?
Do you really mean that you have an inexorable need of embarking on a
flirtation with Miss Light?--a flirtation as to the felicity of which
there may be differences of opinion, but which cannot at best, under the
circumstances, be called innocent. Your last summer's adventures were
more so! As for the terms on which you are to live, I had an idea you
had arranged them otherwise!"
"I have arranged nothing--thank God! I don't pretend to arrange. I
am young and ardent and inquisitive, and I admire Miss Light. That 's
enough. I shall go as far as admiration leads me. I am not afraid. Your
genuine artist may be sometimes half a madman, but he 's not a coward!"
"Suppose that in your speculation you should come to grief, not only
sentimentally but artistically?"
"Come what come will! If I 'm to fizzle out, the sooner I know it the
better.
Pages:
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281