"I don't want you to touch me."
"Listen to me," he said sternly. "I've stood about all of your
nonsense I'm able to stand. I've had to fight a pack of business
wolves to keep them from picking my carcass, and, what's more important
to me, to keep them from handing a raw deal to five men who wallowed
through snow and frost and all kinds of hardship to make these sharks a
fortune. I've got down to their level and fought them with their own
weapons--and the thing is settled. I said last night I'd be through
here inside a week. I'm through now--through here. I have business in
the Klappan; to complete this thing I've set my hand to. Then I'm
going to the ranch and try to get the bad taste out of my mouth. I'm
going to-morrow. I've no desire or intention to coerce you. You're my
wife, and your place is with me, if you care anything about me. And I
want you. You know that, don't you? I wouldn't be begging you like
this if I didn't. I haven't changed, nor had my eyes dazzled by any
false gods. But it's up to you. I don't bluff. I'm going, and if I
have to go without you I won't come back. Think it over, and just ask
yourself honestly if it's worth while.
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