"Yes, now, thank the gods, all that is over!" piously echoed the Professor.
"I don't see quite how," I replied, weakly, while a stabbing sensation seemed to take me at the heart.
"Why, it's all as plain as light," declared Tan Trum, still smiling. "Be more cheerful, my dear boy! Since you are now a law to yourself, what do you care about eugenics? You can declare yourself eugenically fit, and who will dare to contradict you?"
All at once, as I realized the truth of these words, I felt a profound regret at having become Dictator.
"To be sure, your former disbarment was valid enough," rambled on the Professor, while in Loa's eyes I caught an adoring flash. "Having no military ancestry, you naturally weren't qualified to become the father of a family. But now that you are in a high position, your sons won't have to go out to fight and be turned over—"
I do not know how or why—perhaps it was the Professor's reference to fighting—but at this point an idea leapt into my head.
"All that is true," I broke in. "I have, as you declare, no fighting ancestry. Therefore, before assuming domestic responsibilities, I must justify myself in my own eyes, if not in those of the people. I have decided that before I can—er—before I can accept my happiness, I must go forth to the field of honor. Tomorrow I lead the army to battle!"
This decision, though reached this very moment, now seemed unalterable and final—my one hope of escape.
Both the Professor and his daughter looked downhearted.
"Oh, but that isn't necessary, my dear boy!" frowned the former. "You have too high a conception of honor!"