both that his confidence was profound that it was not necessary, and
that that incapacity to betray that might be predicated of Old
Steadfast was confined to but one of the two upon this rock. The
enlightenment stung, then immediately brought out a reaction. "To each
some specialty in error! I no more than he am monstrous!" There arose
a desire to defend himself, to show Old Steadfast certain things. He
spoke. "We are going to fight presently--"

"Yes."

"That's understood. Now listen to me a little! For long years we were
together, friends near and warm! You knew that I saw differently from
you in regard to many things--in regard, for instance, to women. I
remember old discussions.... Well, you differed, and sometimes you
were angry. But for all that, friendship never went out with violence!
You knew the ancient current that I swam in--that it was narrower,
more mixed with earth, than your own! But you were tolerant. You took
me as I was.... What has developed was essentially there then, and you
knew it. The difference is that at last it touched what you held to be
your own. Then, and not till then, the sinner became _anathema!_"

"In some part you say truth. But my load of inconsistency does not
lighten yours of guilt."

"Perhaps not. We were friends. Five-sixths of me made a fair enough
friend and comrade. We interlocked. You had gifts and possessions I
had not. I liked the oak-feeling of you--the great ship in sail! In
turn, I had the key, perhaps, to a few lands of bloom and flavor that
you lacked. We interchanged and thought that we were each the richer.
Five-sixths.... Say, then, that the other sixth might be defined as
no-friend, or as false friend! Say that it was wilful, impatient of
superiorities, proud, vain, willing to hurt, betray, and play the
demon generally! Say that once it gave itself swing it darkened some
of the other sixths.... Well, it is done! Yet there was gold. Perhaps,
laird of Glenfernie, there is still gold in the mine!"

"You are mistaken in your proportions. Gold! You are to me the specter
of the Kelpie's Pool!"

Silence held for a minute or two. The clouds, passing between earth
and sun, made against the mountain slopes impalpable, dark, fantastic
shapes. An eagle wheeled above its nest at the mountain-top. Ian spoke
again. His tone had altered.

"If I do not decline remorse, I at least decline the leaden cope of it
you would have me wear! There is such a thing as fair play to o