"That sounds very like yourself."
"There are many men like that, more than most people imagine," he said quietly; "and after this one had, so to speak, built the foundations and walls, he had not money enough to put on the roof, and another man came along and offered to do it. Of course, he would get the credit for the whole building. It was a very important one, and it affected the lives and comfort of a great many people who would suffer if it were not completed."
The girl glanced at him strangely. "Is that all?"
"Yes, except that the people who lived there would naturally forget all about the man who laid the foundations and built the walls, and would even blame him and think only of the one who made the place habitable for them."
"But does that matter?" she asked quickly, looking at him.
Clark took a long look at the animated face. "That he should be forgotten or blamed?"
"Yes. You said he worked for the love of it. He didn't ask for thanks or appreciation, and from what you tell me he wasn't that kind." She turned swiftly: "It is yourself."
"And if it were, that would not alter your judgment, would it?"
"Is it fair to ask?" Her eyes were full of a touching appeal.
"A frank opinion is the fairest thing to me," he said quietly. "I know how you would look at it. There's only one answer you could give. If it were otherwise it wouldn't be you: the first man has no alternative, has he?"