..." And he suddenly
clung to Trench with a close, nervous grip, like a boy in an extremity
of fear. And it was in the tone of reassurance that a man might use to a
boy that Trench replied, "It's all right, old man, it's all right."
But Trench's companion was already relieved of his fear. He had come
out of his boyhood, and was rehearsing some interview which was to take
place in the future.
"Will you take it back?" he asked, with a great deal of hesitation and
timidity. "Really? The others have, all except the man who died at
Tamai. And you will too!" He spoke as though he could hardly believe
some piece of great good fortune which had befallen him. Then his voice
changed to that of a man belittling his misfortunes. "Oh, it hasn't been
the best of times, of course. But then one didn't expect the best of
times. And at the worst, one had always the afterwards to look forward
to ... supposing one didn't run.... I'm not sure that when the whole
thing's balanced, it won't come out that you have really had the worst
time. I know you ... it would hurt you through and through, pride and
heart and everything, and for a long time just as much as it hurt that
morning when the daylight came through the blinds.
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