Their mutual affection and esteem
suddenly increased enormously. It was Damon and Pythias; it was David
and Jonathan; nothing could ever estrange them. Now it was for life or
death.
"I'm much obliged," murmured McTeague. He could think of nothing better
to say. "I'm much obliged," he repeated; "much obliged, Mark."
"That's all right, that's all right," returned Marcus Schouler, bravely,
and it occurred to him to add, "You'll be happy together. Tell her
for me--tell her---tell her----" Marcus could not go on. He wrung the
dentist's hand silently.
It had not appeared to either of them that Trina might refuse McTeague.
McTeague's spirits rose at once. In Marcus's withdrawal he fancied he
saw an end to all his difficulties. Everything would come right, after
all. The strained, exalted state of Marcus's nerves ended by putting
him into fine humor as well. His grief suddenly changed to an excess of
gaiety. The afternoon was a success. They slapped each other on the back
with great blows of the open palms, and they drank each other's health
in a third round of beer.
Ten minutes after his renunciation of Trina Sieppe, Marcus astounded
McTeague with a tremendous feat.
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