"Why, can't you see that it puts you out of business with
Margaret? She's not the sort of woman to take to the fellow that
shows he's the weaker."
"Well, I'll be--damned!" gasped Arkwright. "You HAVE got your
nerve! To say such a thing to a man you've just asked a favor of."
"Not at all," cried Craig airily. "Facts are facts. Why deny
them?"
Arkwright shrugged his shoulders. "Well, let it pass....Whether
it's settled me with her or not, it somehow--curiously enough--
settled her with me. Do you know, Josh, I've had no use for her
since. I can't explain it."
"Vanity," said Craig. "You are vain, like all people who don't
talk about themselves. The whole human race is vain--individually
and collectively. Now, if a man talks about himself as I do, why,
his vanity froths away harmlessly. But you and your kind suffer
from ingrowing vanity. You think of nothing but yourselves--how
you look--how you feel--how you are impressing others--what you
can get for yourself--self--self--self, day and night. You don't
like Margaret any more because she saw you humiliated. Where would
I be if I were like that? Why, I'd be dead or hiding in the brush;
for I've had nothing but insults, humiliations, sneers, snubs, all
my life.
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