hechairs,theentirefloor,thewallsashighashecouldreachthem.Philiphadnotpresumedtocomforthim.Butnowthetensionwastoogreat—hetried.
“Breakdown,Ginoyoumustbreakdown.Screamandcurseandgiveinforalittleyoumustbreakdown.”
Therewasnoreply,andnocessationofthesweepinghands.
“Itistimetobeunhappy.Breakdownoryouwillbeilllikemysister.Youwillgo—”
Thetouroftheroomwasover.HehadtouchedeverythinginitexceptPhilip.Nowheapproachedhim.Hefacewasthatofamanwhohaslosthisoldreasonforlifeandseeksanewone.
“Gino!”
Hestoppedforamomentthenhecamenearer.Philipstoodhisground.
“Youaretodowhatyoulikewithme,Gino.Yoursonisdead,Gino.Hediedinmyarms,remember.Itdoesnotexcusemebuthediddieinmyarms.”
Thelefthandcameforward,slowlythistime.IthoveredbeforePhiliplikeaninsect.Thenitdescendedandgrippedhimbyhisbrokenelbow.
Philipstruckoutwithallthestrengthofhisotherarm.Ginofelltotheblowwithoutacryoraword.
“Youbrute!”exclaimedtheEnglishman.“Killmeifyoulike!Butjustyouleavemybrokenarmalone.”
Thenhewasseizedwithremorse,andkneltbesidehisadversaryandtriedtorevivehim.Hemanagedtoraisehimup,andproppedhisbodyagainsthisown.Hepassedhisarmroundhim.Againhewasfilledwithpityandtenderness.Heawaitedtherevivalwithoutfear,surethatbothofthemweresafeatlast.
Ginorecoveredsuddenly.Hislipsmoved.Foroneblessedmomentitseemedthathewasgoingtospeak.Buthescrambledupinsilence,rememberingeverything,andhemadenottowardsPhilip,buttowardsthelamp.
“Dowhatyoulikebutthinkfirst—”
Thelampwastossedacrosstheroom,outthroughtheloggia.Itbrokeagainstoneofthetreesbelow.Philipbegantocryoutinthedark.
Ginoapproachedfrombehindandgavehimasharppinch.Philipspunroundwithayell.Hehadonlybeenpinchedontheback,butheknewwhatwasinstoreforhim.Hestruckout,exhortingthedeviltofighthim,tokillhim,todoanythingbutthis.Thenhestumbledtothedoor.Itwasopen.Helosth