“You or I?”
“You are practically out of it. We’re taking the roll to Sparky. He’ll hide it in his secret compartment for the night. When I fly back to Egypt tomorrow the roll will go with me.”
“Why?” Mary’s eyes opened wide.
“Hasn’t it caused you enough trouble?”
“Not if it’s really important.”
“It seems to be all of that.”
“Then why should I give it up now?” She was very much in earnest. “You know, in a very old book I sometimes read, it says something about putting your hand to the plow, then turning back. I don’t like turning back, or giving up. It’s part of my religion not to.”
“So that’s the way you feel about it?”
“Yes, but—” she hesitated, “one thing is more important than the papyrus.”
“Your ship’s cargo? I agree with you. It is all-important. Helping to get it through to China is the most important task you’ve ever undertaken, or perhaps ever will.”