"Well," I asked, "is your lady-love willing to undergo this rejuvenation treatment?"
"She won't promise, yet."
"Now listen to me, Gran'pa," I said, firmly. "I like the lady immensely and I admire your taste, but we can't have this gorilla expedition sidetracked for the sake of a mere woman. You'll have to insist on a definite answer by the end of next week, say. Either she will or she won't; but, whatever her decision, we must leave for Africa this month. If she agrees, all the more incentive to your trying to make the expedition a success; if she refuses—well, we still owe a duty to humanity. You've sufficient sense at your age to know that you can't afford to fritter away your time on an abortive love-affair with a lady old enough to be your mother."
"You know what women are, George," he replied meekly.
"I do. That's why I recommend strong handling."
"She recognizes in me quite sufficient proof that she can regain her youth. But she thinks that it's not . . . right."
"Fiddlesticks! If she loves you, her answer is obvious."
"You must admit, George, that it also requires some courage," he replied, thoughtfully.
"Of course it does. But love thrives on courage and self-sacrifice. Put her to the test. Let her endure it."
He was silent for awhile.