I wanted to tell her that I would throw away everything for her, would crush myself out, would be a lifeless tool, would do anything.

But I could tear no words out of the stone that seemed to surround me.
"You may even tell him, if you like, what I and Gurnard are going to do.
It will make no difference; he will fall.

But you would like him to--to make a good fight for it, wouldn't you?
That is all I can do ...

for your sake." I began to speak--as if I had not spoken for years.

The house seemed to be coming to life; there were noises of opening doors, of voices outside.
"I believe you care enough," I said "to give it all up for me.