hinking you--what you are not. I was bitter, not quite
myself. I was blaming you for what you couldn't help and thinking you
were going--"

"Don't! Don't talk about that! I--" David turned his face to the wall.
"I wish to God Smith's knife had gone deeper!"

Jonathan started. "Smith! You say it was Smith? Then this happened
because of me. I let myself get at odds with all the world and in that
temper sent him from the shop. You have much to forgive me for, David."

"That's pretty far-fetched, isn't it? If it's any consolation, I
couldn't swear it was Smith. I only had a glimpse of him."

"It is a consolation. Because now, if any one questions you about what
happened, you needn't identify Smith. I hate to think of any man having
to go to jail. Sin is its own punishment--and heavy enough. God knows!
We must find Smith, David, and try to help him. You could help him most.
When he knows that you, whom he hurt, are ready--"

"Do whatever you want with him. I have no wish to send him to jail."

David stirred restlessly; his wound began to throb. Why couldn't the
manikin go away and take his silly exaggerated--and
disturbing--sentimentalities with him? Didn't he know that his very
presence there was a reminder of something David wanted to forget--that
the kingdom of desire was not to be entered without payment?

But Jonathan did not leave, though he saw what the patient wished. He
went without further detours to the thing that lay between them.

"David, what are you going to do?"

David made no answer but stared unwinkingly at the wall.

"What are you going to do, David?"

David had not guessed how hard it would be to give tongue to his desire.

"I don't know that you have any right to ask. But if it will do you any
good to know, I'm going to get free and--"

He turned and looked defiantly into Jonathan's eyes. He saw the
suffering there. But Jonathan's voice was still gentle.

"You would do that?"

"I would do that."

"You mean," Jonathan persisted, "you will get a divorce? And then go to
her?"

How ugly, how sordid, that seemed, spoken aloud in the clear light of
morning!

But David said, "I mean that."

"Have you thought of--your wife?"

"She wouldn't be hurt, wouldn't really care."

"And you have a boy. A beautiful boy, I am told."

"That--that is part of the--price."

"Ah! the price! You have thought of the price then. And you are ready
to pay it. Other people have