"I'm a man, Sassenach," he said, very softly. "If I thought there was a choice ... then I maybe couldna do it. Ye dinna need to be so brave about things if ye ken ye canna help it, aye?" He looked at me then, with a faint smile. "Like a woman in childbirth, aye? Ye must do it, and it makes no difference if you're afraid--ye'll do it. It's only when ye ken ye can say no that it takes courage."