Now it sank back into it.
"Yes--with me!" "With you?
I see.

Naturally it must have gone hard with her--Mary! And she wouldn't see reason even when you explained that you and I are like brothers ?" He leaned a little toward her and just a shade of emotion came in his voice.
"When you carefully explained, Jack, with all the eloquence you could command, that you and I have ridden and fought and camped together like brothers for six years?
And how I gave you your first gun?
And how I've stayed between you and danger a thousand times?
And how I've never treated you otherwise than as a man?
And how I've given you the love of a blood-brother to take the place of the brother who died?
And how I've kept you in a clean and pure respect such as a man can only give once in his life--and then only to his dearest friend?
She wouldn't listen--even when you talked to her like this ?" "For God's sake--Pierre!" "Ah, but you talked well enough to pave the way for me.

You talked so eloquently that with a little more persuasion from me she will know and understand.

Come, I must be gone after her.

Which way did she ride--up or down the valley ?" "You could talk to her forever and she'd never listen.