"
"Excuses? You won't even go so far as to call it a doubtful case? One
that a casuist could argue either way?" Beaumaroy was smiling again now.
"Even if I did, men of--"
"Yes, Doctor Mary--of sensitive honor!"
"Decide doubtful cases against themselves in money matters."
"Oh, I say, is that doctrine current in business circles? I've been in
business myself, and I doubt it."
"They do--men of real honor," Mary persisted.
"So that's how great fortunes are made? That's how individuals--to say
nothing of nations--rise to wealth and power! And I never knew it,"
Beaumaroy reflected in a gentle voice. His eye caught Mary's, and she
gave a little laugh. "By deciding doubtful cases against themselves!
Dear me, yes!"
"I didn't say they rose to greatness and power."
"Then the people who do rise to greatness and power--and the
nations--don't they go by right of conquest, Doctor Mary? Don't they
decide cases in their own favor?"
"Did you really mean to--to take the money?"
"I'll tell you as near as I can. I meant to do my best for my old man. I
meant him to live as long as he could, and to live free, unpersecuted, as
happy as he could be made.
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