“And Donovan Pasha goes too?”
“I hope so. I am not sure.”
“But he must go,” she said a little sharply.
“Yes?”
“He—you must have somebody, and he has great power.”
“That might or might not be to my benefit. After all, what does it matter?”—He saw that she was perturbed, and he pressed his advantage.
She saw, however, and retreated. “We reap as we sow,” she said, and made as if to go inside the house. “You have had the game, you must pay for the candles out of your earnings.”
“I don’t mind paying what’s fair. I don’t want other people to pay.”
She turned angrily on him, he could not tell why. “You don’t want others to pay! As if you could do anything that doesn’t affect others. Did you learn that selfishness at Skaw Fell, or was it born with you? You are of those who think they earn all their own success and happiness, and then, when they earn defeat and despair, are surprised that others suffer. As if our penalties were only paid by ourselves! Egotism, vanity! So long as you have your dance, it matters little to you who pays for the tune.”
“I am sorry.” He was bewildered; he had not expected this.