"
Rowland shook his head. "For that purpose, I can't!"
"You can't?"
"It 's impossible. Your plan is rank folly. I can't help you in it."
Roderick flushed a little, and his eye expanded. "I will borrow what
money I can, then, from Mary!" This was not viciously said; it had
simply the ring of passionate resolution.
Instantly it brought Rowland to terms. He took a bunch of keys from
his pocket and tossed it upon the grass. "The little brass one opens my
dressing-case," he said. "You will find money in it."
Roderick let the keys lie; something seemed to have struck him; he
looked askance at his friend. "You are awfully gallant!"
"You certainly are not. Your proposal is an outrage."
"Very likely. It 's a proof the more of my desire."
"If you have so much steam on, then, use it for something else. You say
you are awake again. I am delighted; only be so in the best sense. Is
n't it very plain? If you have the energy to desire, you have also the
energy to reason and to judge. If you can care to go, you can also care
to stay, and staying being the more profitable course, the inspiration,
on that side, for a man who has his self-confidence to win back again,
should be greater.
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