"I mean to leave the decision to Theodora."
"Honestly?"
"Honestly. And our time is short, Robert; ask her to-night when she comes home."
"I will not," he refused flatly. "Take your right as eldest and tell her your story before I tell mine. I will not take that advantage of you. Oh, if she were only less delicate, less fastidiously reared, less unable to endure even vexation! If we could fight it out, you and I!"
"Hush, hush; this is the fight. We are paying the penalty of being fit for no better battle; he who can use neither sword nor gun must be sent to dig in the muddy trenches."
"We could take care of ourselves."
"Without doubt, or starve decently. But we have to take care of others."
"John, let me go."
"Play fair, Bertie."
"John—"