"I don't understand women," he laughed softly.
"Neither do I." It was Lawrence's voice. He had come in, just in time to hear the last words. "Nor men, either—except in one thing."
"What is the one thing?" asked Claire eagerly.
"That, given a normal, healthy mind, they will sacrifice all their idols for life. Life is the one eternally insistent thing."
Philip chuckled. "You are yourself again, I see."
"Yes, and stronger than ever in my faith," said Lawrence, sitting down. "I know the price I would pay for life. It is the price every human being would pay, if demanded."
"What is that price?" Philip asked.
"The whole of one's faith in God and man!"
"Nonsense!" Philip spoke curtly. "I would die before forfeiting a dozen ideals I hold dear!"
"Would you?" Lawrence looked at him quizzically. "Would you sacrifice your own life before you would the love of your sweetheart, for instance, if you had one?"