The Afterglow

"Forgive me!" he whispered. "I-I forgot myself, a moment. Not yet-no, not yet. You're right, Beatrice. A thousand things are pressing to be done. And love-must wait!" He clenched his fists and strode to the edge of the chasm, where, for a while, he stood alone and silent, gazing far down and away, mastering himself, striving to get himself in leash once more. Then suddenly he turned and smiled. "Come, Beta," said he. "All this must be forgotten. Let's get to work. The whole world's waiting for us, for our labor.