"I knew there was some power in her heart that I did not affect. I related it to the picture, and when she told me the parable, I asked her outright if the picture and her heart's knight were one. She answered 'Yes.'… And so, Jim, I stand in awe of you. You've won and held what is to me the greatest woman of our time. I don't know anything I wouldn't do for you—with that light upon you——"
"You've got me thinking faster than is safe, Bedient. Do men turn this sort of trick very often for each other?"
"It was glad tidings," Bedient said. "The fact is, I have no better thing to give, than services for such a woman. It's clear and simple, that my business is to make her as happy as I can from the outside…. And, Jim, she must not know I told you, nor that I hunted you up. It wouldn't be best…. Just go back to New York, ask to see her, and try again. She'll be glad——"
"You're sure of that?"
"Well, I shouldn't be sure. It's her province…. I want her to have the chance."
"…You ought to know how I feel about all this, Bedient," Framtree said unsteadily, "since you know her."
Bedient liked that.
"I made it a bit hard for you," he replied, "the way I told it—as if you didn't count at all with me—only as something she wanted—but you do, Jim——"
"…We'll come back, or I'll come back," Framtree said, and he turned away from the other's eyes.
Bedient had looked upon him that moment, as if he would add his own soul's strength to the strength of Framtree…. The hours that followed, to the moment of the Henlopen's sailing, were hours of building. Framtree found himself locked in the concentration of Bedient's ideals—matters of manhood fitted about him, that he had not aspired to. And it was not easy to fall from them, when Bedient believed in him so truly.