Myself: I had thought you much stronger of late.
Sir Richard: Indeed so I am, but my joints have been so oft stretched on the rack that I cannot go far and then but slowly, alas!
There was silence awhile, each of us gazing out across the troubled waters, yet I, for one, seeing nothing of them. Glancing presently at Sir Richard, I saw his eyes closed, but his mouth very resolute and grim.
"And what of Joan?" I demanded. "What of your daughter?"
Now at this he started and glancing at me, his mouth of a sudden lost its grimness and he averted his head when he answered:
"Why, Martin, 'tis for her sake I will not hamper you with my useless body."
"So is it for her sake I will never leave you here to perish!"
"Then here," says he in a little, "here is an end to reason, Martin?"
"Aye, indeed, sir!"
"God love thee, lad!" cried he, clasping my hand. "For if 'tis reason raiseth us 'bove the brutes 'tis unselfishness surely lifts us nigh to God!"