When you run beside me you push me out of my path. . . . You've
made me afraid of you. . . . And so I won't go with you, Leopard.
I go alone. It isn't because I don't love you. I love you too
well. It isn't because you aren't beautiful and wonderful. . . ."
"But, Cheetah! nevertheless you care more for this that you want
than you care for me."
Benham thought of it. "I suppose I do," he said.
"What is it that you want? Still I don't understand."
Her voice had the break of one who would keep reasonable in spite of
pain.
"I ought to tell you."
"Yes, you ought to tell me."
"I wonder if I can tell you," he said very thoughtfully, and rested
his hands on his hips. "I shall seem ridiculous to you."
"You ought to tell me."
"I think what I want is to be king of the world."
She stood quite still staring at him.
"I do not know how I can tell you of it. Amanda, do you remember
those bodies--you saw those bodies--those mutilated men?"
"I saw them," said Amanda.
"Well. Is it nothing to you that those things happen?"
"They must happen.
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