Why do you want me as a companion?
Why do you think it would be a pleasure for you to drag a decrepit misfit like myself up into a country like yours?
Is it because of your--your code of faith?
Is it because you think you may save a soul ?" He was breathing deeply.

As he excoriated himself and bared his weakness the hot blood crept slowly into his face.
"Why do you want me to go ?" he demanded.

"Why don't you ask some man with red blood in his veins and a heart that hasn't been burned out?
Why have you asked me ?" Father Roland made as if to speak, and then caught himself.

Again for a passing flash there came that mysterious change in him, a sudden dying out of the enthusiasm in his eyes, and a grayness in his face that came and went like a shadow of pain.

In another moment he was saying: "I'm not playing the part of the good Samaritan, David.