Tracy went to bed happy once more, at rest in his mind once more.

He had started out on a high emprise--that was to his credit, he argued; he had fought the best fight he could, considering the odds against him--that was to his credit; he had been defeated--certainly there was nothing discreditable in that.

Being defeated, he had a right to retire with the honors of war and go back without prejudice to the position in the world's society to which he had been born.

Why not?
even the rabid republican chair-maker would do that.

Yes, his conscience was comfortable once more.
He woke refreshed, happy, and eager for his cablegram.