Suddenly Marcus jumped impetuously to a resolution.
"Well, say, Mac," he cried, striking the table with his fist, "go ahead.
I guess you--you want her pretty bad. I'll pull out; yes, I will. I'll
give her up to you, old man."
The sense of his own magnanimity all at once overcame Marcus. He saw
himself as another man, very noble, self-sacrificing; he stood apart
and watched this second self with boundless admiration and with infinite
pity. He was so good, so magnificent, so heroic, that he almost sobbed.
Marcus made a sweeping gesture of resignation, throwing out both his
arms, crying:
"Mac, I'll give her up to you. I won't stand between you." There were
actually tears in Marcus's eyes as he spoke. There was no doubt he
thought himself sincere. At that moment he almost believed he loved
Trina conscientiously, that he was sacrificing himself for the sake of
his friend. The two stood up and faced each other, gripping hands. It
was a great moment; even McTeague felt the drama of it. What a fine
thing was this friendship between men! the dentist treats his friend
for an ulcerated tooth and refuses payment; the friend reciprocates by
giving up his girl. This was nobility.
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