And I am strong, I may live another fifty years." "What then can you do ?" I asked.
"I can take a short road to knowledge--or to peace," he answered solemnly, "I can die, and die I will--yes, tonight." I turned upon him angrily, for his words filled me with fear.
"Leo, you are a coward!" I said.

"Cannot you bear your part of pain as--others do ?" "You mean as you do, Horace," he answered with a dreary laugh, "for on you also the curse lies--with less cause.

Well, you are stronger than I am, and more tough; perhaps because you have lived longer.

No, I cannot bear it.

I will die." "It is a crime," I said, "the greatest insult you can offer to the Power that made you, to cast back its gift of life as a thing outworn, contemptible and despised.