At this Rowland reclined upon the grass again; and again, after reflection, he faced his friend. “How would you express,” he asked, “the character of the profit that you expect to derive from your excursion?”
“I see no need of expressing it. The proof of the pudding is in the eating! The case is simply this. I desire immensely to be near Christina Light, and it is such a huge refreshment to find myself again desiring something, that I propose to drift with the current. As I say, she has waked me up, and it is possible something may come of it. She makes me feel as if I were alive again. This,” and he glanced down at the inn, “I call death!”
“That I am very grateful to hear. You really feel as if you might do something?”
“Don’t ask too much. I only know that she makes my heart beat, makes me see visions.”
“You feel encouraged?”
“I feel excited.”
“You are really looking better.”
“I am glad to hear it. Now that I have answered your questions, please to give me the money.”
Rowland shook his head. “For that purpose, I can’t!”
“You can’t?”