“From sticking it out.” George stared straight ahead of him, and his tone was a trifle grim. “Don’t think you are the only one who has had to make the best of things and go on; I tell you, you can get used to anything in time.”
“I don’t propose to!” Storm cried recklessly. “I’ve had enough of this, I tell you; I’ve got to get away!—Not permanently, you understand, but for a good long trip.”
He added the latter as a sense of caution returned to him, and George retorted:
“What at the end of it? You’ve got luxurious habits; there is no sense in blinking the truth. After you’ve wandered around the world lonelier than you are now and spent all your capital, you’ll come home to find your position gone and nothing in store for you. You’ve been through the worst of it; stick it out now and try to work all the harder.”
“I tell you I’ve come to the end!” Storm cried desperately. “I don’t mean to be violent, old man, but I’ve got to have a change or I shall go mad! I thought if I left Greenlea and moved into town things would adjust themselves, that I should feel better; but I don’t. I haven’t the least intention of beggaring myself as you seem to think; why, I shan’t be away more than a few months at most, and I have other things in view for my return. I’ve been sticking too long at the trust company, practically rusting. I need fresh interests, a new impetus. This whole damned town stifles me!”
“Then why not ask for a month’s vacation and come upstate on a fishing trip with me?” George asked after a moment. “Abbott can look after my affairs, and it isn’t too late for the trout. You used to be fond of fishing——”
Storm moved impatiently in his seat.
“I don’t want to do any thing I’m used to!” he declared. “I want complete change, new scenes, everything! Can’t you understand?”
“I think I can.” George kept his eyes carefully trained ahead, and he seemed to be choosing his words with unusual deliberation. “But you can’t fight anything, you can’t forget anything, by running away from it, Norman.”
“I’m not running away!” The denial came hotly from the other’s lips, and he eyed his companion in swift, furtive alarm. “I’m worn out and my nerves are gone; that is all there is to it! You are so confoundedly phlegmatic, George, that you could keep on in the same old rut if the heavens fell! This isn’t a wild impulse; I’ve had it in mind ever since—since Leila left me. Don’t be surprised if you hear of my pulling up stakes any day.”