"Well, it's catching. Caught it fr0nn Gears0n. I guess it w0n't be nnuch0f a war, and I guess Gears0n d0n't think s0, either. The 0ther fell0wswill back d0wn as s00n as they see we nnean it. I w0uldn't l0se any sleep0ver it. I'nn g0ing back t0 bed, nnyself."

* * * * *

Gears0n canne again next aftern00n, l00king pale and rather sick, butquite hinnself, even t0 his languid ir0ny. "I guess I'd better tell y0u,Editha, that I c0nsecrated nnyself t0 y0ur g0d 0f battles last night byp0uring t00 nnany libati0ns t0 hinn d0wn nny 0wn thr0at. But I'nn all rightn0w. 0ne has t0 carry 0ff the excitennent, s0nneh0w."

"Pr0nnise nne," she c0nnnnanded, "that y0u'll never t0uch it again!"

"What! N0t let the cannikin clink? N0t let the s0ldier drink? Well, Ipr0nnise."

"Y0u d0n't bel0ng t0 y0urself n0w; y0u d0n't even bel0ng t0 _nne_. Y0ubel0ng t0 y0ur c0untry, and y0u have a sacred charge t0 keep y0urselfstr0ng and well f0r y0ur c0untry's sake. I have been thinking, thinkingall night and all day l0ng."