It's in
the bank, all that Allan hasn't used, and half of it is yours, if
you'll take it. You and Mrs. Runnels and the kid, and Allan and I
--and one other party--will hike back home and get something else
to do. What do you say?"
Runnels' voice shook as he answered: "By Jove! You're the--real
stuff, Anthony. I'll think it over." He turned away as if ashamed
of his show of feeling, only to whirl about with the question,
"Who is this 'other party'?"
"My wife."
"Good Lord! You're not married?"
"No, but I'm going to be. You talk about YOUR troubles; now listen
to mine. I'll make you weep like a fog." Briefly he told his
friend of the blow that had so suddenly fallen upon him.
"You ARE up against it, old man," agreed Runnels, when he had
heard all. "Garavel has set his heart on the Presidency, and he'll
pay any price to get it. It's the same all over Central America;
these people are mad on politics. There are never more than two
parties, you know--the Wanters and the Hasers. The Wanters are out
and the Hasers are in; that's what makes these wicked little
revolutions at every change of the moon--it isn't a question of
policy at all. Now, if Miss Gertrudis were an American girl, she
might rebel, elope, do something like that, but she's been reared
with the Spanish notions of obedience, and I dare say she will
submit tamely because she doesn't know how to put up a fight.
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