David stirred restlessly; his wound began to throb. Why couldn't the manikin go away and take his silly exaggerated—and disturbing—sentimentalities with him? Didn't he know that his very presence there was a reminder of something David wanted to forget—that the kingdom of desire was not to be entered without payment?
But Jonathan did not leave, though he saw what the patient wished. He went without further détours to the thing that lay between them.
"David, what are you going to do?"
David made no answer but stared unwinkingly at the wall.
"What are you going to do, David?"
David had not guessed how hard it would be to give tongue to his desire.
"I don't know that you have any right to ask. But if it will do you any good to know, I'm going to get free and—"
He turned and looked defiantly into Jonathan's eyes. He saw the suffering there. But Jonathan's voice was still gentle.
"You would do that?"
"I would do that."