"Simply to look upon the face of my mother ere it goes forever away."
"Do you wish it?"
"Very much."
"I would rather not."
"As you will"; and he turned away proudly, with that high style of curling pride that has a touch of soul in it.
"No, Mr. Axtell, it is not as I will; it is very much as I will not. I can go in there, and look at the face you wish; but it will unfit me for the duties of life for days to come. The face that I see there will tenant this house forever, and not this only,—it will be seen wherever I go."
"Can you not overcome it?"
"Oh, yes."
"Why not, then?"
"It takes such sweet revenge that my overcoming is the sorriest kind of victory."