Page:War; or, What happens when one loves one's enemy, John Luther Long, 1913.djvu/309

THE COST—WHO PAYS on day by day! Ah, you have the same excuse. But Jon! What must Jon think of me! Of course he wouldn't tell!"

I shook Dave until he listened.

"How often must I tell you," I yells, "that we all knew that you didn't know!"

"And was I too worthless to be protected against myself, daddy?"

"I don't understand that," I said.

"Ah, well," says Dave, "no matter that. It is the smallest part—me. But the cost! That must be looked after. Who pays? The cost—the cost! Am I to take her and let Jon pay the price?"

We just stared at each other for a long while.

"Daddy," yells Dave, "answer. Am I to take the woman and let Jon pay her price; do what she demands?" He points out to them.

"I don't know what you mean, Davy," says I, as kind as possible. "Of course, you got the woman and you've got to pay—whatever there is to pay. I don't know what it is." 293