Northrup’s eyes grew dark.
“Yes. But, Rivers, if I find that you play loose in any way, by God, I’ll settle with you if I have to scour the earth for you. Remember, she is to know everything––everything, and after that––you’re to get out––quick.”
“I’ll get out all right.”
“I hope, just because of your wife and child, Rivers, that you’ll straighten up; that something will get a grip on you that will pull you up––not down further. No man has a right to put the burden of his right living or his going to hell on a woman’s conscience, but women like your wife often have to carry that load. You’ve got that in you which, put to good purpose, might–––”
“Oh! cut it out.” Rivers could bear no more. “I’m going to get out of your way––what more in hell do you want?”
“Nothing.” Northrup rose, white-lipped and stern. “Nothing. We are both of us, Rivers, paying a big price for a woman’s freedom. It’s only just––we ought not to want anything more.”
With that Northrup left the shack and retraced his lonely way to the inn.