“You wouldn’t, and you know you wouldn’t. No offence. We’re simply looking things squarely in the eye. It’s merely the tragedy 140 of pennies among evolved humans who require dollars to live—and must live. Am I not right, friend of mine?”
No severity this time, no commonplace—nothing.
“I repeat, no offence; just square in the eye. Am I not right?”
“Right? I don’t know. I can’t answer.” A sudden blaze. “You have no right to suggest—”
“No. Pardon me.” Armstrong’s face worked in spite of himself. “Forget that I did suggest, Harry. It was brutal of me.”
Randall said nothing.
“But with Elice and myself it’s different. I’ve awakened in time. Providence, perhaps, sometimes when we least expect it—”
“Steve!” Randall had glanced up quickly, self for the moment in abeyance. “What do you intend doing, tell me that?”
“Doing?” It was almost surprise. “Have you any honest doubt yet, after what I’ve told you?” He halted, scrutinizing his friend’s face, and seemed satisfied. “I’m going to release her; release her unqualifiedly. I can at least be man enough to do that.”