“ No, we don’t want to hinder him. But we need to know where we are. Supposing you were in my position—and you didn’t feel sure of things! A man has to look things in the face. You yourself, now—you’re holding back, aren’t you?”
“ I suppose I am,” said Richard. “But then I hold back from everything.”
Jaz looked at him searchingly.
“ You don’t like to commit yourself?” he said, with a sly smile.
“ Not altogether that. I’d commit myself, if I could. It’s just something inside me shakes its head and holds back.”
Jaz studied his knuckles for some time.
“ Yes,” he said slowly. “Perhaps you can afford to stand out. You’ve got your life in other things. Some of us feel we haven’t got any life if we’re not—if we’re not mixed up in something.” He paused, and Richard waited.
