第121章

"You mustn't imagine,Paret,that I have any personal animus against you,or against any of the men with whom you're associated,"he went on,after a moment."I'm sorry you're on that side,that's all,--I told you so once before.I'm not calling you names,I'm not talking about morality and immorality.Immorality,when you come down to it,is often just the opposition to progress that comes from blindness.I don't make the mistake of blaming a few individuals for the evils of modern industrial society,and on the other hand you mustn't blame individuals for the discomforts of what you call the reform movement,for that movement is merely a symptom--a symptom of a disease due to a change in the structure of society.We'll never have any happiness or real prosperity until we cure that disease.I was inclined to blame you once,at the capital that time,because it seemed to me that a man with all the advantages you have had and a mind like yours didn't have much excuse.But I've thought about it since;I realize now that I've had a good many more 'advantages'

than you,and to tell you the truth,I don't see how you could have come out anywhere else than where you are,--all your surroundings and training were against it.That doesn't mean that you won't grasp the situation some day--I have an idea you will.It's just an idea.The man who ought to be condemned isn't the man that doesn't understand what's going on,but the man who comes to understand and persists in opposing it."He rose and looked down at me with the queer,disturbing smile I remembered.

"I get off at this corner,"he added,rather diffidently."I hope you'll forgive me for being personal.I didn't mean to be,but you rather forced it on me.""Oh,that's all right,"I replied.The car stopped,and he hurried off.

I watched his tall figure as it disappeared among the crowd on the sidewalk....

I returned to my office in one of those moods that are the more disagreeable because conflicting.To-day in particular I had been aroused by what Tom used to call Krebs's "crust,"and as I sat at my desk warm waves of resentment went through me at the very notion of his telling me that my view was limited and that therefore my professional conduct was to be forgiven!It was he,the fanatic,who saw things in the larger scale!an assumption the more exasperating because at the moment he made it he almost convinced me that he did,and I was unable to achieve for him the measure of contempt I desired,for the incident,the measure of ridicule it deserved.My real animus was due to the fact that he had managed to shake my self-confidence,to take the flavour out of my achievements,--a flavour that was in the course of an hour to be completely restored by one of those interesting coincidences occasionally occurring in life.A young member of my staff entered with a telegram;Itore it open,and sat staring at it a moment before I realized that it brought to me the greatest honour of my career.

The Banker-Personality in New York had summoned me for consultation.To be recognized by him conferred indeed an ennoblement,the Star and Garter,so to speak,of the only great realm in America,that of high finance;and the yellow piece of paper I held in my hand instantly re-magnetized me,renewed my energy,and I hurried home to pack my bag in order to catch the seven o'clock train.I announced the news to Maude.

"I imagine it's because he knows I have made something of a study of the coal roads situation,"I added.

"I'm glad,Hugh,"she said."I suppose it's a great compliment."Never had her inadequacy to appreciate my career been more apparent!Ilooked at her curiously,to realize once more with peculiar sharpness how far we were apart;but now the resolutions I had made--and never carried out--on that first Christmas in the new home were lacking.Indeed,it was the futility of such resolutions that struck me at this moment.If her manner had been merely one of indifference,it would in a way have been easier to bear;she was simply incapable of grasping the significance of the event,the meaning to me of the years of unceasing,ambitious effort it crowned.

"Yes,it is something of a recognition,"I replied."Is there anything Ican get for you in New York?I don't know how long I shall have to stay--I'll telegraph you when I'm getting back."I kissed her and hurried out to the automobile.As I drove off I saw her still standing in the doorway looking after me....In the station I had a few minutes to telephone Nancy.

"If you don't see me for a few days it's because I've gone to New York,"I informed her.

"Something important,I'm sure."

"How did you guess?"I demanded,and heard her laugh.

"Come back soon and tell me about it,"she said,and I walked,exhilarated,to the train....As I sped through the night,staring out of the window into the darkness,I reflected on the man I was going to see.But at that time,although he represented to me the quintessence of achievement and power,I did not by any means grasp the many sided significance of the phenomenon he presented,though I was keenly aware of his influence,and that men spoke of him with bated breath.Presidents came and went,kings and emperors had responsibilities and were subject daily to annoyances,but this man was a law unto himself.He did exactly what he chose,and compelled other men to do it.Wherever commerce reigned,--and where did it not?--he was king and head of its Holy Empire,Pope and Emperor at once.For he had his code of ethics,his religion,and those who rebelled,who failed to conform,he excommunicated;a code something like the map of Europe,--apparently inconsistent in places.