When they reached home, Narcisse broke the silence to say, "After all, it's nobody's fault. It's a system and they're the victims of it."
"Because one has the chance to steal—that's no excuse for his stealing," replied Neva, with a certain sternness in her face that curiously reminded Narcisse of Armstrong. "Nor is it any excuse that everyone is doing it, and so making it respectable. I'm going back home—back where at least I shan't be tormented by seeing these things with my very eyes."
On impulse, perhaps tinged with selfishness, Narcisse exclaimed, "Neva, why don't you marry Armstrong?"
"Because I don't trust him," replied she. "One may love without trust, but not marry."
"Yet," said Narcisse, "I'd marry Boris, though I never could trust him—never!"
"If you had been married, you wouldn't do it," replied Neva. Then, "But every case is individual, and everyone must judge for himself."
"You know best—about Armstrong."
"I should say I did!" exclaimed Neva bitterly. "There's no excuse for my folly—none!"
XXXII
ARMSTRONG ASKS A FAVOR