He and I want very little.
What do we care for except just to love each other and to see beautiful
things and to escape from all this nightmare of blood and hate and
horror and hideousness?"

I felt helpless. Mrs. Ascher had undoubtedly hit on a new solution of
the problem. She proposed that Ascher should impale himself not on one
or other, but on both horns of the dilemma, be false to every kind of
honour and loyalty. It was, I suppose, possible for Ascher to pack a bag
and take to flight, simply to disappear, leaving everything behind
him. He and she might go to some valley in the Rocky Mountains, to some
unknown creek on the Californian coast, to some island in the South
Pacific. If she were right about honour and faithfulness and patriotism,
if these are, after all, only idols of the tribe, then she and Ascher
might be very happy. They would have all that either of them required.

I looked at Gorman. He shrugged his shoulders, helpless as I was. Mrs.
Ascher began to plead with us in a way that was very strange to listen
to.

"Life is so short," she said. "Already most of it is gone from us. We
have only a few years more, he and I. Why should we be miserable? There
is happiness waiting for us. There is nothing between us and happiness
except words, honor, patriotism, right, wrong. These are words, only
words. They are gossamer threads which we break as we go, break without
feeling them if only we go boldly. Will you not help me? Tell him that
what I say is true. He will listen to you because you are men; and you
know in your hearts that I speak what is true, that I have hold upon
reality."

There was a moment's silence after she stopped speaking. Before either
Gorman or I attempted to make any answer Ascher himself came into the
room. I certainly did not expect to see him. Mrs. Ascher was, I am sure,
as much surprised as I was. It was about twelve o'clock and at that hour
Ascher is always in his office. He crossed the room quietly. He greeted
Gorman and me without a sign that our presence was unexpected or
unwelcome. He went to his wife and took her hand in his. She clung to
him, looking up into his face. She knew at once that he had something
very important to say to her.

"You have decided?" she said.

Ascher's eyes met hers. His face seemed to me full of tenderness and
pity. He held her hand tightly. He bowed his head, a silent "yes" to the
question she asked.

"To leave it all and come with me?" she said