oke into mutterings, voicing aloud fragments of speech,
forcing himself toward steadiness of forward-driving purpose.

"I've got to leave her.... She won't go with me. That means I've got to
leave with her every scrap of food we have between us. I can go two days
without eating.... I can! A man, if he's half a man, can finish his work
before he buckles under.... Her one danger is Brodie. Otherwise she
would be safe enough for four or five days. She's got to stick close to
the cave; she must not dare to set foot outside....

"But that's not enough; they might come to the cave.... The way in is
not overwide; would they see it from below? They don't know where it is
or they would have done as I did; they would have come to it for
shelter.... No, they don't know of it. Can I close up the entrance,
somehow, so that they won't find it? There are loose rocks in there....
If they _do_ come this way, up the gorge, it will be hard for them to
see it from below.... Even if they should find it, I can show her where
to hide. Way in the back. There's a place there.... I can get out in two
days; back in two days. Somehow. Allow five days to cover accidents.
Five days; she can stick it out five days. If I don't take a scrap of
her food away from her.... Oh, I can make it; it is up to me to make
it. I'll get a fish sooner or later--or a rabbit.... A man can eat his
boots."

* * * * *

After a long time he went back to the cave. He knew now just what he
would do, since it had become clear to him that there was but one thing
to be done. Gloria faced him as he came in; she marked how he walked,
like a very tired man. Her head was up, there were spots of colour in
her cheeks; in her eyes was a new look. She had found herself. Or she
was finding herself? Her spirit had risen undaunted in a crisis; in a
clash of wills hers had not gone down before his. Rather it had been
hers that had triumphed. She might know fear again, but the time was
past and dead when she would bow meekly before a man's bidding. So she
told herself, while with head erect she awaited his speech.

He began, saying very simply what he had decided must be said. He did
not swerve for the useless words "I am sorry." He knew that she did not
expect them, would not answer them. What he had done was monstrous and
unpardonable; hence a man would not ask pardon. By his own act they were
set as far apart as two beings inhabiting two widely separat