. I've changed all that, he muttered in a gloomy voice.
    You have had your opportunity, I pursued.
    Have I? he said. Well, yes. I suppose so. Yes. I have got back my confidence
in myself - a good name - yet sometimes I wish... No! I shall hold what I've
got. Can't expect anything more. He flung his arm out towards the sea. Not out
there anyhow. He stamped his foot upon the sand. This is my limit, because
nothing less will do.
    We continued pacing the beach. Yes, I've changed all that, he went on, with
a sidelong glance at the two patient, squatting fishermen; but only try to think
what it would be if I went away. Jove! can't you see it? Hell loose. No!
To-morrow I shall go and take my chance of drinking that silly old Tunku
Allang's coffee, and I shall make no end of fuss over these rotten turtles'
eggs. No. I can't say - enough. Never. I must go on, go on for ever holding up
my end, to feel sure that nothing can touch me. I must stick to their belief in
me to feel safe and to - to... he cast about for a word, seemed to look for it
on the sea... to keep in touch with... his voice sank suddenly to a murmur...
with those whom, perhaps, I shall never see any more. With - with - you, for
instance.
    I was profoundly humbled by his words. For God's sake, I said, don't set me
up, my dear fellow; just look to yourself. I felt a gratitude, an affection, for
that straggler whose eyes had singled me out, keeping my place in the ranks of
an insignificant multitude. How little that was to boast of, after all! I turned
my burning face away; under the low sun, glowing, darkened and crimson, like an
ember snatched from the fire, the sea lay outspread, offering all its immense
stillness to the approach of the fiery orb. Twice he was going to speak, but
checked himself; at last, as if he had found a formula:
    I shall be faithful, he said quietly. I shall be faithful, he repeated,
without looking at me, but for the first time letting his eyes wander upon the
waters, whose blueness had changed to a gloomy purple under
