The Eagle's Shadow

by James Branch Cabell

Billy caught up the word. "Absurd!" he echoed--"yes, that describes

what I've been pretty well, doesn't it, Peggy? I

was

absurd when I

let you send me to the right-about four years ago. I realised that

to-day the moment I saw you. I should have held on like the very

grimmest death; I should have bullied you into marrying me, if

necessary, and in spite of fifty Anstruthers. Oh, yes, I know that

now. But I was only a boy then, Peggy, and so I let a boy's pride come

between us. I know now there isn't any question of pride where you