"Yes," she answered slowly; "I can see that—I should, I know."
"Of course you would. Now listen. I have a story for you, that your love of kindness and nobility will find pleasure in."
Again I tried Saxton's method—there isn't a better one, if it's real stuff you have to tell. Very quietly I put it to her as he had to me. She had less color when I finished.
"If that is the truth, it was noble," she said, when I finished. The breath fluttered in her throat.
"It is the truth. Arthur isn't too good to lie, by any means, but he has too much pride and courage to lie about a thing like that."
She nodded her head in assent. I got excited, seeing victory in sight, but had sense enough to keep cool. I knew, even at that early age, there's snags sometimes underneath the smoothest water.
She sighed as if the life of her went out.
"Impulse," she said, "a noble impulse—and then? an ignoble one, followed with the same determination."
That had too much truth in it. I didn't approve of his drinking himself to death, because he couldn't have what he wanted.
"Yes," I answered smoothly, "and what he needs is a strong excuse to make them all good—he has the strength to do it, you don't deny that?"