“No. Let me up.”
Freeman’s face was red. He was panting.
“Shake hands first and say we’re friends!”
“What?”
“Shake hands and say we’re friends!”
Freeman looked startled, as though he were talking to a mad man, but held up his hand.
“Now before I let you up.” He shifted his position forward a trifle and Freeman winced. “Before I let you up, listen to this: I quit because I learned that the Tribe’s stuff about the Jews and the Catholics is all bunk. I was a damn fool. But when I was shown, I did the square thing. I quit. Now you’re going to do exactly what I tell you. You’re going to see the same persons I saw. And if they convince you, you’re going to quit, too. Is that agreed?”
“Yes. Let me up for God’s sake. I’m choking.”
“First shake on it.”
They shook. Robert sprang to his feet and helped Freeman to his.