"She has awakened me. I have her life to consider as well as my own."
"We are all individuals, supreme in ourselves, responsible only to ourselves. We must all live our own lives; she cannot live yours, nor you hers."
"I am familiar with your arguments," Mrs. Gerard said, wearily, "but I have thought this all out and there is no other way."
He frowned in his most impressive manner and his chest swelled ominously.
"I will not be coerced. You know I can't be bullied into a thing. I deny that you have any right to demand—"
"I'm not demanding anything. I merely ask this—this favor, the first one I have ever asked. You see, my pride is crumbling. Don't answer now; let's wait until we are both calmer. The subject came up—at least she approached it, by asking about the coal claims. She is worried about them."
"Indeed?"
"She was told by a friend in the Land Office that our rights had been forfeited. I assured her—"
"I refused to heed the absurd rulings of the Department, if that is what she refers to."
"Then we—have lost?" Mrs. Gerard's pallor increased.