“You’ve got to—it’s the easiest way. We’ve all got to be punished for what you did—those who love us are always punished for our sins; but let me tell you that I don’t think you are going to escape punishment if I go up for this. You’re going to suffer more than I. You’re going to suffer more than you would if you went up yourself; but it can’t be helped. The question is, are you man enough to do this for Eva? It is your sacrifice more than mine.”
Evans swallowed hard and tried to speak. It was a moment before he succeeded.
“My God, Cus, I’d rather go myself!”
“I know you would.”
“I can never have any self-respect again. I can never look a decent man in the face. Every time I see Eva, or your mother, or the colonel, I’ll think: ‘You dirty cur, you let their boy go to the pen for something you did!’ Oh, Cus, please don’t ask me to do it! There must be some other way. And—and, Cus, think of Grace. We’ve been forgetting Grace. What’ll it mean to Grace if you are sent up?”
“It won’t mean anything to Grace, and you know it. None of us mean much to Grace any more.”
Guy looked out of the little barred window, and tears came to his eyes.
“I guess you’re right,” he said.
“You’re going to do it, Guy—for Eva?”
“For Eva—yes.”