"Ohdear！"sighedPippin。"Wemustchangeallthis，Scorrier;itwillneverdotogobackbeaten。Ishallnotgobackbeaten;youwillhavetocarrymeonmyshield;"andslyly:"Tooheavy，eh？Poorfellow！"Thenforalongtimehewassilent，movinghislipsasifaddingupthecost。Suddenlyhesighed，andgraspingScorrier’sarm，said:"Dull，aren’tI？Whatwillyoudo？Putmeinyourreport，’NewSuperintendent——sad，dulldog——notawordtothrowatacat！’"
　　Andasifthenewtaskweretoomuchforhim，hesankbackinthought。ThelastwordshesaidtoScorrierthatnightwere:"Verysilenthere。It’shardtobelieveone’shereforlife。ButIfeelI
　　am。Mustn’tbeacoward，though！"andbrushinghisforehead，asthoughtoclearfromitacobweboffaintthoughts，hehurriedoff。
　　Scorrierstayedontheverandasmoking。Therainhadceased，afewstarswereburningdimly;evenabovethesqualorofthetownshipthescentoftheforests，theinterminableforests，brooded。Theresprangintohismindthememoryofapicturefromoneofhischildren’sfairybooks——thepictureofalittlebeardedmanontiptoe，withpoisedheadandagreatsword，slashingatthecastleofagiant。ItremindedhimofPippin。Andsuddenly，eventoScorrier—
　　—whoseexistencewasonelongencounterwithstrangeplaces——theunseenpresenceofthosewoods，theirheavy，healthyscent，thelittlesounds，likesqueaksfromtinytoys，issuingoutofthegloomysilence，seemedintolerable，tobeshunned，fromthemereinstinctofself—preservation。Hethoughtoftheeveninghehadspentinthebosomof"Down—by—the—starn"Hemmings’family，receivinghislastinstructions——thesecurityofthatsuburbanvilla，itsdiscouraginggentility;thesuperioracidityoftheMissHemmings;thenoblenamesoflargecontractors，ofcompanypromoters，ofapeer，draggedwiththelightnessofgun—carriagesacrosstheconversation;theautocracyofHemmings，raspeduphereandthere，bysomedomesticcontradiction。Itwasallsoniceandsafe——asifthewholethinghadbeenfastenedtoananchorsunkbeneaththepinkcabbagesofthedrawing—roomcarpet！Hemmings，seeinghimoffthepremises，hadsaidwithsecrecy:"LittlePippinwillhaveagoodthing。WeshallmakehissalaryL————。He’llbeagreatman—quiteaking。Ha—ha！"
　　Scorriershooktheashesfromhispipe。’Salary！’hethought，straininghisears;’Iwouldn’ttaketheplaceforfivethousandpoundsayear。Andyetit’safinecountry，’andwithironicviolenceherepeated，’adashedfinecountry！’
　　Tendayslater，havingfinishedhisreportonthenewmine，hestoodonthejettywaitingtogoabroadthesteamerforhome。
　　"Godblessyou！"saidPippin。"Tellthemtheyneedn’tbeafraid;andsometimeswhenyou’reathomethinkofme，eh？"
　　Scorrier，scramblingonboard，hadaconfusedmemoryoftearsinhiseyes，andaconvulsivehandshake。
　　II
　　ItwaseightyearsbeforethewheelsoflifecarriedScorrierbacktothatdisenchantedspot，andthistimenotonthebusinessoftheNewCollieryCompany。Hewentforanothercompanywithaminesomethirtymilesaway。Beforestarting，however，hevisitedHemmings。
　　Thesecretarywassurroundedbypigeon—holesandfinerthanever;
　　Scorrierblinkedinthefullradianceofhiscourtesy。Alittlemanwitheyebrowsfullofquestions，andagrizzledbeard，wasseatedinanarm—chairbythefire。
　　"YouknowMr。Booker，"saidHemmings——"oneofmydirectors。ThisisMr。Scorrier，sir——whowentoutforus。"
　　Thesesentencesweremurmuredinawaysuggestiveoftheiruncommonvalue。Thedirectoruncrossedhislegs，andbowed。Scorrieralsobowed，andHemmings，leaningback，slowlydevelopedthefullresourcesofhiswaistcoat。
　　"Soyouaregoingoutagain，Scorrier，fortheotherside？ItellMr。Scorrier，sir，thatheisgoingoutfortheenemy。Don’tfindthemamineasgoodasyoufoundus，there’sagoodman。"
　　Thelittledirectoraskedexplosively:"Seeourlastdividend？
　　Twentypercent;eh，what？"
　　Hemmingsmovedafinger，asifreprovinghisdirector。"Iwillnotdisguisefromyou，"hemurmured，"thatthereisfrictionbetweenusand——theenemy;youknowourpositiontoowell——justalittletoowell，eh？’Anod’sasgoodasawink。’"
　　HisdiplomaticeyesflatteredScorrier，whopassedahandoverhisbrow——andsaid:"Ofcourse。"
　　"Pippindoesn’thititoffwiththem。Betweenourselves，he’saleetletoobigforhisboots。Youknowwhatitiswhenamaninhispositiongetsasuddenrise！"
　　ScorriercaughthimselfsearchingonthefloorforasightofHemmings’boots;heraisedhiseyesguiltily。Thesecretarycontinued:"Wedon’thearfromhimquiteasoftenasweshouldlike，infact。"
　　TohisownsurpriseScorriermurmured:"It’sasilentplace！"
　　Thesecretarysmiled。"Verygood！Mr。Scorriersays，sir，it’sasilentplace;ha—ha！Icallthatverygood！"Butsuddenlyasecretirritationseemedtobubbleinhim;heburstforthalmostviolently:
　　"He’snobusinesstoletitaffecthim;now，hashe？Iputittoyou，Mr。Scorrier，Iputittoyou，sir！"
　　ButScorriermadenoreply，andsoonaftertookhisleave:hehadbeenaskedtoconveyafriendlyhinttoPippinthatmorefrequentletterswouldbewelcomed。StandingintheshadowoftheRoyalExchange，waitingtothreadhiswayacross，hethought:’Soyoumusthavenoise，mustyou——you’vegotsomehere，andtospare……’
　　OnhisarrivalinthenewworldhewiredtoPippinaskingifhemightstaywithhimonthewayupcountry，andreceivedtheanswer:"Besureandcome。"
　　Aweeklaterhearrived（therewasnowarailway）andfoundPippinwaitingforhiminaphaeton。Scorrierwouldnothaveknowntheplaceagain;therewasaglitterovereverything，asifsomeonehadtoucheditwithawand。Thetrackshadgivenplacetoroads，runningfirm，straight，andblackbetweenthetreesunderbrilliantsunshine;
　　thewoodenhouseswereallpainted;outinthegleamingharbouramongstthegreenofislandslaythreesteamers，eachwithafleetofbusyboats;andhereandthereatinyyachtfloated，likeasea—birdonthewater。Pippindrovehislong—tailedhorsesfuriously;hiseyesbrimmedwithsubtlekindness，asifaccordingScorrieracontinualwelcome。DuringthetwodaysofhisstayScorrierneverlostthatsenseofglamour。HehadeveryopportunityforobservingthegripPippinhadovereverything。Thewoodendoorsandwallsofhisbungalowkeptoutnosounds。Helistenedtointerviewsbetweenhishostandallkindsandconditionsofmen。Thevoicesofthevisitorswouldriseatfirst——angry，discontented，matter—of—fact，withnasaltwang，orgutturaldrawl;thenwouldcomethesoftpatterofthesuperintendent’sfeetcrossingandrecrossingtheroom。Thenapause，thesoundofhardbreathing，andquickquestions——thevisitor’svoiceagain，againthepatter，andPippin’singratiatingbutdecisivemurmurs。PresentlyoutwouldcomethevisitorwithanexpressiononhisfacewhichScorriersoonbegantoknowbyheart，akindofpleased，puzzled，helplesslook，whichseemedtosay，"I’vebeendone，Iknow——I’llgiveittomyselfwhenI’mroundthecorner。"
　　Pippinwasfullofwistfulquestionsabout"home。"Hewantedtotalkofmusic，pictures，plays，ofhowLondonlooked，whatnewstreetstherewere，and，aboveall，whetherScorrierhadbeenlatelyintheWestCountry。Hetalkedofgettingleavenextwinter，askedwhetherScorrierthoughttheywould"putupwithhimathome";then，withtheagitationwhichhadalarmedScorrierbefore，headded:"Ah！butI’mnotfitforhomenow。Onegetsspoiled;it’sbigandsilenthere。
　　WhatshouldIgobackto？Idon’tseemtorealise。"
　　ScorrierthoughtofHemmings。"’Tisabitcrampedthere，certainly，"
　　hemuttered。
　　Pippinwentonasifdivininghisthoughts。"IsupposeourfriendHemmingswouldcallmefoolish;he’sabovethelittleweaknessesofimagination，eh？Yes;it’ssilenthere。SometimesintheeveningI
　　wouldgivemyheadforsomebodytotalkto——Hemmingswouldnevergivehisheadforanything，Ithink。Butallthesame，Icouldn’tfacethemathome。Spoiled！"Andslylyhemurmured:"WhatwouldtheBoardsayiftheycouldhearthat？"
　　Scorrierblurtedout:"Totellyouthetruth，theycomplainalittleofnothearingfromyou。"
　　Pippinputoutahand，asiftopushsomethingaway。"Letthemtrythelifehere！"hebrokeout;"it’slikesittingonalivevolcano——
　　whatwithourfriends，’theenemy，’overthere;themen;theAmericancompetition。Ikeepitgoing，Scorrier，butatwhatacost——atwhatacost！"
　　"Butsurely——letters？"
　　Pippinonlyanswered:"Itry——Itry！"
　　Scorrierfeltwithremorseandwonderthathehadspokenthetruth。
　　Thefollowingdayheleftforhisinspection，andwhileinthecampof"theenemy"muchwasthetalkheheardofPippin。
　　"Why！"saidhishost，thesuperintendent，alittlemanwithafacesomewhatlikeanowl’s，"d’youknowthenamethey’vegivenhimdowninthecapital——’theKing’——good，eh？He’smadethem’situp’allalongthiscoast。Ilikehimwellenough——good——heartedman，shockingnervous;butmypeopledowntherecan’tstandhimatanyprice。Sir，herunsthiscolony。You’dthinkbutterwouldn’tmeltinthatmouthofhis;buthealwaysgetshisway;that’swhatriles’emso;thatandthesuccesshe’smakingofhismine。Itpuzzlesme;
　　you’dthinkhe’donlybetoogladofaquietlife，amanwithhisnerves。Butno，he’sneverhappyunlesshe’sfighting，somethingwherehe’sgotachancetoscoreavictory。Iwon’tsayhelikesit，but，byJove，itseemshe’sgottodoit。Nowthat’sfunny！I’lltellyouonething，thoughshouldn’tbeabitsurprisedifhebrokedownsomeday;andI’lltellyouanother，"headdeddarkly，"he’ssailingverynearthewind，withthoselargecontractsthathemakes。
　　Iwouldn’tcaretotakehisrisks。Justletthemhaveastrike，orsomethingthatshutsthemdownforaspell——andmarkmywords，sir——
　　it’llbeallupwiththem。But，"heconcludedconfidentially，"I
　　wishIhadhisholdonthemen;it’sagreatthinginthiscountry。
　　Notlikehome，whereyoucangoroundacornerandgetanothergang。
　　Youhavetomakethebestyoucanoutofthelotyouhave;youwon’t，getanothermanforloveormoneywithoutyoushiphimafewhundredmiles。"Andwithafrownhewavedhisarmovertheforeststoindicatethebarrennessoftheland。
　　Scorrierfinishedhisinspectionandwentonashootingtripintotheforest。Hishostmethimonhisreturn。"Justlookatthis！"hesaid，holdingoutatelegram。"Awful，isn’tit？"Hisfaceexpressedaprofoundcommiseration，almostludicrouslymixedwiththeashamedcontentmentthatmenexperienceatthemisfortunesofanenemy。
　　Thetelegram，datedthedaybefore，ranthus"FrightfulexplosionNewCollierythismorning，greatlossoflifefeared。"
　　Scorrierhadthebewilderedthought:’Pippinwillwantmenow。’
　　Hetookleaveofhishost，whocalledafterhim:"You’dbetterwaitforasteamer！It’sabeastlydrive！"
　　Scorriershookhishead。Allnight，joltingalongaroughtrackcutthroughtheforest，hethoughtofPippin。Theothermiseriesofthiscalamityatpresentlefthimcold;hebarelythoughtofthesmotheredmen;butPippin’sstruggle，hislonelystrugglewiththishydra—
　　headedmonster，touchedhimverynearly。HefellasleepanddreamedofwatchingPippinslowlystrangledbyasnake;theagonised，kindly，ironicfacepeepingoutbetweentwogleamingcoilswassohorriblyreal，thatheawoke。Itwasthemomentbeforedawn:pitch—blackbranchesbarredthesky;witheveryjoltofthewheelsthegleamsfromthelampsdanced，fantasticandintrusive，roundfernsandtree—
　　stems，intothecoldheartoftheforest。ForanhourormoreScorriertriedtofeignsleep，andhidefromthestillness，andovermasteringgloomofthesegreatwoods。Thensoftlyawhisperofnoisesstoleforth，astiroflight，andthewholeslowradianceofthemorningglory。Butitbroughtnowarmth;andScorrierwrappedhimselfcloserinhiscloak，feelingasthougholdagehadtouchedhim。
　　Closeonnoonhereachedthetownship。Glamourseemedstilltohoveroverit。Hedroveontothemine。Thewinding—enginewasturning，thepulleyatthetopofthehead—gearwhizzinground;nothinglookedunusual。’Somemistake！’hethought。Hedrovetotheminebuildings，alighted，andclimbedtotheshafthead。Insteadoftheusualrumblingofthetrolleys，therattleofcoaldischargedoverthescreens，therewassilence。Closeby，Pippinhimselfwasstanding，smirchedwithdirt。Thecage，comingswiftandsilentfrombelow，shotopenitsdoorswithasharprattle。Scorrierbentforwardtolook。Therelayadeadman，withasmileonhisface。
　　"Howmany？"hewhispered。
　　Pippinanswered:"Eighty—fourbroughtup——forty—sevenstillbelow，"
　　andenteredtheman’snameinapocket—book。
　　Anoldermanwastakenoutnext;hetoowassmiling——therehadbeenvouchsafedtohim，itseemed，atasteofmorethanearthlyjoy。ThesightofthosestrangesmilesaffectedScorriermorethanalltheanguishordespairhehadseenscoredonthefacesofotherdeadmen。
　　HeaskedanoldminerhowlongPippinhadbeenatwork。
　　"Thirtyhours。Yesterdayhewer’below;wehadtonighcarrymunupatlast。He’sforgoin’downagain，butthechapswon’tlowermun;"
　　theoldmangaveasigh。"I’mwaitingformyboytocomeup，Iam。"
　　Scorrierwaitedtoo——therewasfascinationaboutthosedead，smilingfaces。Therescuingofthesemenwhowouldneveragainbreathewentonandon。Scorriergrewsleepyinthesun。Theoldminerwokehim，saying:"Rummystuffthisherechokedamp;see，theyalldiesdrunk！"
　　Theverynexttobebroughtupwasthechiefengineer。Scorrierhadknownhimquitewell，oneofthoseScotsmenwhoarebornattheageoffortyandremainsoalltheirlives。Hisface——theonlyonethatworenosmile——seemedgrievingthatdutyhaddepriveditofthatlastluxury。Withwideeyesanddrawnlipshehaddiedprotesting。
　　LateintheafternoontheoldminertouchedScorrier’sarm，andsaid:
　　"Thereheis——there’smyboy！"Andhedepartedslowly，wheelingthebodyonatrolley。
　　Asthesunset，thegangbelowcameup。Nofurthersearchwaspossibletillthefumeshadcleared。Scorrierheardonemansay:
　　"There’ssomewe’llneverget;they’vehadsureburial"
　　Anotheransweredhim:"’Tisagudeenoughbagforme！"Theypassedhim，thewhitesoftheireyesgleamingoutoffacesblackasink。
　　Pippindrovehimhomeatafuriouspace，notutteringasingleword。
　　Astheyturnedintothemainstreet，ayoungwomanstartingoutbeforethehorsesobligedPippintopullup。TheglancehebentonScorrierwasludicrouslyprescientofsuffering。Thewomanaskedforherhusband。Severaltimestheywerestoppedthusbywomenaskingfortheirhusbandsorsons。"ThisiswhatIhavetogothrough，"
　　Pippinwhispered。
　　Whentheyhadeaten，hesaidtoScorrier:"Itwaskindofyoutocomeandstandbyme！Theytakemeforagod，poorcreaturethatIam。
　　ButshallIevergetthemendownagain？Theirnerve’sshaken。I
　　wishIwereoneofthosepoorlads，todiewithasmilelikethat！"
　　Scorrierfeltthefutilityofhispresence。OnPippinalonemustbetheheatandburden。Wouldhestandunderit，orwouldthewholethingcomecrashingtotheground？Heurgedhimagainandagaintorest，butPippinonlygavehimoneofhisqueersmiles。"Youdon’tknowhowstrongIam！"hesaid。
　　IV
　　Hehimselfsleptheavily;and，wakingatdawn，wentdown。Pippinwasstillathisdesk;hispenhaddropped;hewasasleep。Theinkwaswet;Scorrier’seyecaughttheopeningwords:
　　"GENTLEMEN，——SincethishappenedIhavenotslept……"
　　Hestoleawayagainwithasenseofindignationthatnoonecouldbedraggedintosharethatfight。TheLondonBoard—roomrosebeforehismind。HeimaginedtheportentousgravityofHemmings;hisfaceandvoiceandmannerconveyingtheimpressionthathealonecouldsavethesituation;thesixdirectors，allmenofcommonsenseandcertainlyhumane，seatedbehindlargeturret—shapedinkpots;theconcernandirritationintheirvoices，askinghowitcouldhavehappened;theircomments:"Anawfulthing！""IsupposePippinisdoingthebesthecan！""Wirehimonnoaccounttoleavethemineidle！""Poordevils！""Afund？Ofcourse，whatoughtwetogive？"
　　Hehadastrongconvictionthatnothingofallthiswoulddisturbthecommonsensewithwhichtheywouldgohomeandeattheirmutton。A
　　goodthingtoo;thelessitwastakentoheartthebetter！ButScorrierfeltangry。Thefightwassounfair！Afellowallnerves——
　　withnotasoultohelphim！Well，itwashisownlookout！Hehadchosentocentreitallinhimself，tomakehimselfitsverysoul。
　　Ifhegavewaynow，theshipmustgodown！Byathinthread，Scorrier’shero—worshipstillheld。’Managainstnature，’hethought，’Ibacktheman。’Thestruggleinwhichhewassopowerlesstogiveaid，becameintenselypersonaltohim，asifhehadengagedhisowngoodfaiththerein。
　　Thenextdaytheywentdownagaintothepit—head;andScorrierhimselfdescended。Thefumeshadalmostcleared，butthereweresomeplaceswhichwouldneverbereached。Attheendofthedayallbutfourbodieshadbeenrecovered。"Inthedayo’judgment，"aminersaid，"theyfour’llcomeoutofhere。"ThoseunclaimedbodieshauntedScorrier。Hecameonsentencesofwriting，wheremenwaitingtobesuffocatedhadwrittendowntheirfeelings。Inoneplace，thehour，theword"Sleepy，"andasignature。Inanother，"A。F。——donefor。"WhenhecameupatlastPippinwasstillwaiting，pocket—bookinhand;theyagaindepartedatafuriouspace。
　　TwodayslaterScorrier，visitingtheshaft，founditsneighbourhooddeserted——notalivingthingofanysortwasthereexceptoneChinamanpokinghisstickintotherubbish。Pippinwasawaydownthecoastengaginganengineer;andonhisreturn，Scorrierhadnotthehearttotellhimofthedesertion。Hewassparedtheeffort，forPippinsaid:"Don’tbeafraid——you’vegotbadnews？Themenhavegoneonstrike。"
　　Scorriersighed。"Lock，stock，andbarrel"
　　"Ithoughtso——seewhatIhavehere！"HeputbeforeScorrieratelegram:
　　"Atallcostskeepworking——fataltostop——managethissomehow。——
　　HEMMINGS。"
　　Breathingquickly，headded:"AsifIdidn’tknow！’Managethissomehow’——alittlehard！"
　　"What’stobedone？"askedScorrier。
　　"YouseeIamcommanded！"Pippinansweredbitterly。"Andthey’requiteright;wemustkeepworking——ourcontracts！NowI’mdown——notasoulwillspareme！"
　　Theminers’meetingwasheldthefollowingdayontheoutskirtsofthetown。Pippinhadclearedtheplacetomakeapublicrecreation—
　　ground——asortoffeatherinthecompany’scap;itwasnowtobethespotwhereonshouldbedecidedthequestionofthecompany’slifeordeath。
　　Theskytothewestwascrossedbyasinglelineofcloudlikeabarofbeatengold;treeshadowscrepttowardsthegroupsofmen;theeveningsavour，thatstrongfragranceoftheforest，sweetenedtheair。Theminersstoodallroundamongsttheburnttree—stumps，cowedandsullen。Theylookedincapableofmovementorexpression。ItwasthisdumbparalysisthatfrightenedScorrier。HewatchedPippinspeakingfromhisphaeton，thebuttofallthosesullen，restlesseyes。Wouldhelastout？Wouldthewireshold？Itwaslikethefinishofarace。HecaughtabaffledlookonPippin’sface，asifhedespairedofpiercingthatterribleparalysis。Themen’seyeshadbeguntowander。’He’slosthishold，’thoughtScorrier;’it’sallup！’
　　Aminerclosebesidehimmuttered:"Lookout！"
　　Pippinwasleaningforward，hisvoicehadrisen，thewordsfelllikeawhiplashonthefacesofthecrowd:"Youshan’tthrowmeover;doyouthinkI’llgiveupallI’vedoneforyou？I’llmakeyouthefirstpowerinthecolony！Areyouturningtailatthefirstshot？
　　You’reasetofcowards，mylads！"
　　EachmanroundScorrierwaslisteningwithadifferentmotionofthehands——onerubbedthem，oneclenchedthem，anothermovedhisclosedfist，asifstabbingsomeoneintheback。Agrisly—bearded，beetle—
　　browed，twinkling—eyedoldCornishmanmuttered:"A’hmnottroublin’
　　aboutthat。"ItseemedalmostasifPippin’sobjectwastogetthementokillhim;theyhadgatheredcloser，crouchingforarush。
　　SuddenlyPippin’svoicedroppedtoawhisper:"I’mdisgracedMen，areyougoingbackonme？"
　　TheoldminernextScorriercalledoutsuddenly:"Annythat’sCornishmenheretostandbythesuperintendent？"Agroupdrewtogether，andwithmurmursandgesticulationthemeetingbrokeup。
　　IntheeveningadeputationcametovisitPippin;andallnightlongtheirvoicesandthesuperintendent’sfootstepscouldbeheard。Inthemorning，Pippinwentearlytothemine。Beforesupperthedeputationcameagain;andagainScorrierhadtolistenhourafterhourtothesoundofvoicesandfootstepstillhefellasleep。Justbeforedawnhewasawakenedbyalight。Pippinstoodathisbedside。
　　"Themengodownto—morrow，"hesaid:"WhatdidItellyou？Carrymehomeonmyshield，eh？"
　　Inaweektheminewasinfullwork。
　　V
　　Twoyearslater，ScorrierheardoncemoreofPippin。AnotefromHemmingsreachedhimaskingifhecouldmakeitconvenienttoattendtheirBoardmeetingthefollowingThursday。Hearrivedratherbeforetheappointedtime。Thesecretaryreceivedhim，and，inanswertoinquiry，said:"Thankyou，wearedoingwell——betweenourselves，wearedoingverywell。"
　　"AndPippin？"
　　Thesecretaryfrowned。"Ah，Pippin！Weaskedyoutocomeonhisaccount。Pippinisgivingusalotoftrouble。Wehavenothadasinglelinefromhimforjusttwoyears！"HespokewithsuchasenseofpersonalgrievancethatScorrierfeltquitesorryforhim。"Notasingleline，"saidHemmings，"sincethatexplosion——youwerethereatthetime，Iremember！Itmakesitveryawkward;Icallitpersonaltome。"
　　"Buthow——"Scorrierbegan。
　　"Weget——telegrams。Hewritestonoone，noteventohisfamily。
　　Andwhy？Justtellmewhy？Wehearofhim;he’sagreatnoboutthere。Nothing’sdoneinthecolonywithouthisfingerbeinginthepie。HeturnedoutthelastGovernmentbecausetheywouldn’tgrantusanextensionforourrailway——showshecan’tbeafool。Besides，lookatourbalance—sheet！"
　　ItturnedoutthatthequestiononwhichScorrier’sopinionwasdesiredwas，whetherHemmingsshouldbesentouttoseewhatwasthematterwiththesuperintendent。Duringthediscussionwhich。
　　ensued，hewasanunwillinglistenertostricturesonPippin’ssilence。"Theexplosion，"hemutteredatlast，"averytryingtime！"
　　Mr。Bookerpouncedonhim。"Averytryingtime！Soitwas——toallofus。Butwhatexcuseisthat——now，Mr。Scorrier，whatexcuseisthat？"
　　Scorrierwasobligedtoadmitthatitwasnone。
　　"Businessisbusiness——eh，what？"
　　Scorrier，gazingroundthatneatBoard—room，nodded。Adeafdirector，whohadnotspokenforsomemonths，saidwithsuddenfierceness:"It’sdisgraceful！"Hewasobviouslylettingoffthefumeoflong—unuttereddisapprovals。Oneperfectlyneat，benevolentoldfellow，however，whohadkepthishaton，andhadasinglevice——
　　thatofcomingtotheBoard—roomwithabrownpaperparceltiedupwithstring——murmured:"Wemustmakeallallowances，"andstartedananecdoteabouthisyouth。Hewasgentlycalledtoorderbyhissecretary。Scorrierwasaskedforhisopinion。HelookedatHemmings。"Myimportanceisconcerned，"waswrittenalloverthesecretary’sface。MovedbyanimpulseofloyaltytoPippin，Scorrieranswered，asifitwereallsettled:"Well，letmeknowwhenyouarestarting，Hemmings——Ishouldlikethetripmyself。"
　　Ashewasgoingout，thechairman，oldJolyonForsyte，withagrave，twinklinglookatHemmings，tookhimaside。"Gladtohearyousaythataboutgoingtoo，Mr。Scorrier;wemustbecareful——Pippin’ssuchagoodfellow，andsosensitive;andourfriendthere——abitheavyinthehand，um？"
　　ScorrierdidinfactgooutwithHemmings。Thesecretarywassea—
　　sick，andhisprostration，dignifiedbutnoisy，remainedamemoryforever;itwassonorousandfine——theprostrationofsuperiority;andthewayinwhichhespokeofit，takingcasualacquaintancesintothecavesofhisexperience，wastrulyinteresting。
　　Pippincamedowntothecapitaltoescortthem，providedfortheircomfortsasiftheyhadbeenroyalty，andhadaspecialtraintotakethemtothemines。
　　Hewasalittlestouter，brighterofcolour，greyerofbeard，morenervousperhapsinvoiceandbreathing。HismannertoHemmingswasfullofflatteringcourtesy;buthissly，ironicalglancesplayedonthesecretary’sarmourlikeafountainonahippopotamus。ToScorrier，however，hecouldnotshowenoughaffection:
　　Thefirstevening，whenHemmingshadgonetohisroom，hejumpeduplikeaboyoutofschool。"SoI’mgoingtogetawigging，"hesaid;
　　"IsupposeIdeserveit;butifyouknew——ifyouonlyknew……！Outherethey’venicknamedme’theKing’——theysayIrulethecolony。
　　It’smyselfthatIcan’trule";andwithasuddenburstofpassionsuchasScorrierhadneverseeninhim:"Whydidtheysendthismanhere？WhatcanheknowaboutthethingsthatI’vebeenthrough？"Inamomenthecalmeddownagain。"There！thisisverystupid;worryingyoulikethis！"andwithalong，kindlookintoScorrier’sface，hehustledhimofftobed。
　　Pippindidnotbreakoutagain，thoughfireseemedtosmoulderbehindthebarsofhiscourteousirony。IntuitionofdangerhadevidentlysmittenHemmings，forhemadenoallusiontotheobjectofhisvisit。
　　ThereweremomentswhenScorrier’scommon—sensesidedwithHemmings——
　　theseweremomentswhenthesecretarywasnotpresent。
　　’Afterall，’hetoldhimself，’it’salittlethingtoask——oneletteramonth。Ineverheardofsuchacase。’Itwaswonderfulindeedhowtheystoodit！ItshowedhowmuchtheyvaluedPippin！Whatwasthematterwithhim？Whatwasthenatureofhistrouble？OneglimpseScorrierhadwhenevenHemmings，ashephrasedit，received"quiteaturn。"Itwasduringadrivebackfromthemostoutlyingofthecompany’strialmines，eightmilesthroughtheforest。Thetrackledthroughabeltoftreesblackenedbyaforestfire。Pippinwasdriving。Thesecretaryseatedbesidehimworeanexpressionoffaintalarm，suchasPippin’sdrivingwaswarrantedtoevokefromalmostanyface。Theskyhaddarkenedstrangely，butpalestreaksoflight，comingfromoneknewnotwhere，filteredthroughthetrees。Nobreathwasstirring;thewheelsandhorses’hoofsmadenosoundonthedeepfernmould。Allaround，theburnttree—trunks，leaflessandjagged，roselikewitheredgiants，thepassagesbetweenthemwereblack，theskyblack，andblackthesilence。Noonespoke，andliterallytheonlysoundwasPippin’sbreathing。Whatwasitthatwassoterrifying？Scorrierhadafeelingofentombment;thatnobodycouldhelphim;thefeelingofbeingfacetofacewithNature;asensationasifallthecomfortandsecurityofwordsandruleshaddroppedawayfromhim。And—nothinghappened。Theyreachedhomeanddined。
　　Duringdinnerhehadagainthatoldremembranceofalittlemanchoppingatacastlewithhissword。ItcameatamomentwhenPippinhadraisedhishandwiththecarving—knifegraspedinittoanswersomeremarkofHemmings’aboutthefutureofthecompany。Theoptimisminhisupliftedchin，thestrenuousenergyinhiswhisperingvoice，gaveScorrieramorevividglimpseofPippin’snaturethanhehadperhapseverhadbefore。Thisnewcountry，wherenothingbuthimselfcouldhelpaman——thatwasthecastle！NowonderPippinwasimpatientofcontrol，nowonderhewasoutofhand，nowonderhewassilent——choppingawayatthat！Andsuddenlyhethought:’Yes，andallthetimeoneknows，Naturemustbeathimintheend！’
　　ThatveryeveningHemmingsdeliveredhimselfofhisreproof。Hehadsatunusuallysilent;Scorrier，indeed，hadthoughthimalittledrunk，soportentouswashisgravity;suddenly，howeverherose。Itwashardonaman，hesaid，inhisposition，withaBoard（hespokeasofafamilyofsmallchildren），tobekeptsoshortofinformation。Hewasactuallycompelledtousehisimaginationtoanswertheshareholders’questions。Thiswaspainfulandhumiliating;hehadneverheardofanysecretaryhavingtousehisimagination！Hewentfurther——itwasinsulting！Hehadgrowngreyintheserviceofthecompany。Mr。Scorrierwouldbearhimoutwhenhesaidhehadapositiontomaintain——hisnameintheCitywasahighone;and，byGeorge！hewasgoingtokeepitahighone;hewouldallownobodytodragitinthedust——thatoughtclearlytobeunderstood。Hisdirectorsfelttheywerebeingtreatedlikechildren;howeverthatmightbe，itwasabsurdtosupposethathe（Hemmings）couldbetreatedlikeachild……！Thesecretarypaused;
　　hiseyesseemedtobullytheroom。
　　"IftherewerenoLondonoffice，"murmuredPippin，"theshareholderswouldgetthesamedividends。"
　　Hemmingsgasped。"Come！"hesaid，"thisismonstrous！"
　　"WhathelpdidIgetfromLondonwhenIfirstcamehere？WhathelphaveIeverhad？"
　　Hemmingsswayed，recovered，andwithaforcedsmilerepliedthat，ifthisweretrue，hehadbeenstandingonhisheadforyears;hedidnotbelievetheattitudepossibleforsuchalengthoftime;
　　personallyhewouldhavethoughtthathetoohadhadalittlesomethingtosaytothecompany’sposition，butnomatter……！Hisironywascrushing……ItwaspossiblethatMr。Pippinhopedtoreversetheexistinglawsoftheuniversewithregardtolimitedcompanies;hewouldmerelysaythathemustnotbeginwithacompanyofwhichhe（Hemmings）happenedtobesecretary。Mr。Scorrierhadhintedatexcuses;forhispart，withthebestintentionsintheworld，hehadgreatdifficultyinseeingthem。Hewouldgofurther——
　　hedidnotseethem！Theexplosion……！PippinshranksovisiblythatHemmingsseemedtroubledbyasuspicionthathehadgonetoofar。
　　"Weknow，"hesaid，"thatitwastryingforyou……"
　　"Trying！""burstoutPippin。
　　"Noonecansay，"Hemmingsresumedsoothingly，"thatwehavenotdealtliberally。"Pippinmadeamotionofthehead。"Wethinkwehaveagoodsuperintendent;Igofurther，anexcellentsuperintendent。WhatIsayis:Let’sbepleasant！Iamnotmakinganunreasonablerequest！"Heendedonafittingnoteofjocularity;
　　and，asifbyconsent，allthreewithdrew，eachtohisownroom，withoutanotherword。
　　InthecourseofthenextdayPippinsaidtoScorrier:"ItseemsI
　　havebeenverywicked。Imusttrytodobetter";andwithatouchofbitterhumour，"Theyarekindenoughtothinkmeagoodsuperintendent，yousee！AfterthatImusttryhard。"
　　Scorrierbrokein:"Nomancouldhavedonesomuchforthem;"and，carriedawaybyanimpulsetoputthingsabsolutelystraight，wenton"But，afterall，aletternowandthen——whatdoesitamountto？"
　　Pippinbesiegedhimwithasubtleglance。"Youtoo？"hesaid——
　　"Imustindeedhavebeenawickedman！"andturnedaway。
　　Scorrierfeltasifhehadbeenguiltyofbrutality;sorryforPippin，angrywithhimself;angrywithPippin，sorryforhimself。HeearnestlydesiredtoseethebackofHemmings。Thesecretarygratifiedthewishafewdayslater，departingbysteamerwithponderousexpressionsofregardandtheassuranceofhisgoodwill。
　　Pippingaveventtonooutburstofrelief，maintainingacourteoussilence，makingonlyoneallusiontohislateguest，inanswertoaremarkofScorrier:
　　"Ah！don’ttemptme！mustn’tspeakbehindhisback。"
　　Amonthpassed，andScorrierstill——remainedPippin’sguest。Aseachmail—dayapproachedheexperiencedaqueersuppressedexcitement。OnoneoftheseoccasionsPippinhadwithdrawntohisroom;andwhenScorrierwenttofetchhimtodinnerhefoundhimwithhisheadleaningonhishands，amidaperfectfitteroftornpaper。HelookedupatScorrier。
　　"Ican’tdoit，"hesaid，"Ifeelsuchahypocrite;Ican’tputmyselfintoleading—stringsagain。WhyshouldIaskthesepeople，whenI’vesettledeverythingalready？Ifitwereavitalmattertheywouldn’twanttohear——they’dsimplywire，’Managethissomehow！’"
　　Scorriersaidnothing，butthoughtprivately’Thisisamadbusiness！’Whatwasaletter？Whymakeafussaboutaletter？Theapproachofmail—dayseemedlikeanightmaretothesuperintendent;
　　hebecamefeverishlynervouslikeamanunderaspell;and，whenthemailhadgone，behavedlikearespitedcriminal。Andthishadbeengoingontwoyears！Eversincethatexplosion。Why，itwasmonomania！
　　Oneday，amonthafterHemmings’departure，Pippinroseearlyfromdinner;hisfacewasflushed，hehadbeendrinkingwine。"Iwon’tbebeatenthistime，"hesaid，ashepassedScorrier。Thelattercouldhearhimwritinginthenextroom，andlookedinpresentlytosaythathewasgoingforawalk。Pippingavehimakindlynod。
　　Itwasacool，stillevening:innumerablestarsswarmedinclustersovertheforests，formingbrighthieroglyphicsinthemiddleheavens，showeringoverthedarkharbourintothesea。Scorrierwalkedslowly。Aweightseemedliftedfromhismind，soentangledhadhebecomeinthatuncannysilence。AtlastPippinhadbrokenthroughthespell。Togetthat，lettersentwouldbethelayingofaphantom，therehabilitationofcommonsense。Nowthatthissilencewasinthethroesofbeingbroken，hefeltcuriouslytendertowardsPippin，withoutthehero—worshipofolddays，butwithaqueerprotectivefeeling。Afterall，hewasdifferentfromothermen。Inspiteofhisfeverish，tenaciousenergy，inspiteofhisironichumour，therewassomethingofthewomaninhim！Andasforthissilence，thishorrorofcontrol——allgeniuseshad"beesintheirbonnets，"andPippinwasageniusinhisway！
　　Helookedbackatthetown。Brilliantlylightedithadathrivingair—difficulttobelieveoftheplaceherememberedtenyearsback;
　　thesoundsofdrinking，gambling，laughter，anddancingfloatedtohisears。’Quiteacity！’hethought。
　　Withthisqueerelationonhimhewalkedslowlybackalongthestreet，forgettingthathewassimplyanoldishminingexpert，withalookofshabbiness，suchasclingstomenwhoarealwaystravelling，asiftheir"nap"wereforeverbeingrubbedoff。AndhethoughtofPippin，creatorofthisglory。
　　Hehadpassedtheboundariesofthetown，andhadenteredtheforest。
　　Afeelingofdiscouragementinstantlybesethim。Thescentsandsilence，afterthefestivecriesandodoursofthetown，wereundefinablyoppressive。Notwithstanding，hewalkedalongtime，sayingtohimselfthathewouldgivethelettereverychance。Atlast，whenhethoughtthatPippinmusthavefinished，hewentbacktothehouse。
　　Pippinhadfinished。Hisforeheadrestedonthetable，hisarmshungathissides;hewasstone—dead！Hisfaceworeasmile，andbyhissidelayanemptylaudanumbottle。
　　Theletter，closely，beautifullywritten，laybeforehim。Itwasafinedocument，clear，masterly，detailed，nothingslurred，nothingconcealed，nothingomitted;acompletereviewofthecompany’sposition;itendedwiththewords:"Yourhumbleservant，RICHARD
　　PIPPIN。"
　　Scorriertookpossessionofit。Hedimlyunderstoodthatwiththoselastwordsawirehadsnapped。Theborder—linehadbeenoverpassed;
　　thepointreachedwherethatsenseofproportion，whichalonemakeslifepossible，islost。HewascertainthatatthemomentofhisdeathPippincouldhavediscussedbimetallism，oranyintellectualproblem，excepttheoneproblemofhisownheart;that，forsomemysteriousreason，hadbeentoomuchforhim。Hisdeathhadbeentheworkofamomentofsupremerevolt——asingleinstantofmadnessonasinglesubject！Hefoundontheblotting—paper，scrawledacrosstheimpressofthesignature，"Can’tstandit！"ThecompletionofthatletterhadbeentohimastruggleungraspablebyScorrier。Slavery？
　　Defeat？AviolationofNature？Thedeathofjustice？Itwerebetternottothinkofit！Pippincouldhavetold——buthewouldneverspeakagain。Nature，atwhom，unaided，hehaddealtsomanyblows，hadtakenherrevenge……！
　　InthenightScorrierstoledown，and，withanashamedface，cutoffalockofthefinegreyhair。’Hisdaughtermightlikeit！’hethought……
　　HewaitedtillPippinwasburied，then，withtheletterinhispocket，startedforEngland。
　　HearrivedatLiverpoolonaThursdaymorning，andtravellingtotown，drovestraighttotheofficeofthecompany。TheBoardweresitting。Pippin’ssuccessorwasalreadybeinginterviewed。HepassedoutasScorriercamein，amiddle—agedmanwithalarge，redbeard，andafoxy，compromisingface。HealsowasaCornishman。
　　Scorrierwishedhimluckwithaveryheavyheart。
　　Asanunsentimentalman，whohadaproperhorrorofemotion，whoselivingdependedonhisgoodsense，tolookbackonthatinterviewwiththeBoardwaspainful。Ithadexcitedinhimarageofwhichhewasnowheartilyashamed。OldJolyonForsyte，thechairman，wasnotthereforonce，guessingperhapsthattheBoard’sviewofthisdeathwouldbetoosmallforhim;andlittleMr。Bookersatinhisplace。
　　Everyonehadrisen，shakenhandswithScorrier，andexpressedthemselvesindebtedforhiscoming。ScorrierplacedPippin’sletteronthetable，andgravelythesecretaryreadouttohisBoardthelastwordsoftheirsuperintendent。Whenhehadfinished，adirectorsaid，"That’snottheletterofamadman！"Anotheranswered:"Madasahatter;nobodybutamadmanwouldhavethrownupsuchapost。"
　　Scorriersuddenlywithdrew。HeheardHemmingscallingafterhim。
　　"Aren’tyouwell，Mr。Scorrier？aren’tyouwell，sir？"
　　Heshoutedback:"Quitesane，Ithankyou……
　　TheNaples"express"rolledroundtheoutskirtsofthetown。
　　Vesuviusshoneinthesun，uncrownedbysmoke。ButevenasScorrierlooked，awhitepuffwentsoaringup。Itwasthefootnotetohismemories。
　　February1901。