I
saw that Carpenter was more and more goaded by it. He would look at
Rosythe, and then he would turn away in aversion. But at last he
made an effort to conquer his feelings, and went up to the critic,
and said, gently: "My friend: for every man who lives on earth, some
woman has paid the price of life."
"The price of life?" repeated the critic, puzzled.
Carpenter waved his hand towards the door. "We confront this
everlasting mystery, this everlasting terror; and it is not becoming
that you should mock."
The grin faded from the other's face. His brows wrinkled, and he
said: "I don't get you, friend. What can a man do?"
"At least he can bow his heart; he can pay his tribute to
womanhood."
"You're too much for me," responded Rosythe. "The imbeciles choose
to go through with it; it's their own choice."
Said Carpenter: "You have never thought of it as the choice of God?"
"Holy smoke!" exclaimed the critic. "I sure never did!"
At that moment one of the doors was opened. Rosythe turned his eyes.
Pages:
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42