The first solemn weeks succeeding the accident had passed by, but that
sense of oppression, which rests upon every house of mourning, had not
yet been dispelled; it made itself even more keenly felt now that all
the busy arrangements, the visits and condolences, were over. There had
been no lack of outward marks of sympathy. Berkow's position, his
numerous acquaintances and large connections made his death an event of
importance. The cortege which followed him to the grave, including, of
course, all the officials and workmen on the estate had been of endless
length. Cards and letters strewed the heir's writing-table, and the
whole neighbourhood came to pay visits to his wife. Every attention was
shown to the young people; it was felt that, so far as they were
concerned, there were no "prejudices," as Baron Windeg had
diplomatically expressed it, to be overcome.
The loss cut no one to the heart, perhaps not even the dead man's only
son, for whom he had done so much. Where all esteem is wanting, it is
not easy to love. But it would have been hard to decide whether Arthur
were deeply moved by his father's death or not. The composure he showed
in the presence of others led to the belief that he had not been
seriously affected by it, and yet, ever since the catastrophe, he had
been almost solemn in his gravity, and had become inaccessible to all
with whom he was not necessarily brought into relations. Eugenie's calm
could surprise no one who knew anything of the circumstances. Her
hatred, like her father's, had died out, certainly, at Berkow's death;
any other sentiment towards him had been out of the question with her,
and, unfortunately, her views in this respect were shared by many who
had but too good cause for such a state of feeling.
The officials had been too often wounded by the arrogant and
unconciliating behaviour of the man who, having made his own way up in
the world, looked upon their knowledge and abilities as so many wares
to be at his absolute disposal, in consideration of the salary paid;
they could have no deep regrets for the loss of a principal who cared
little either for character, personal qualities, or individual talent,
but was exclusively bent on extracting the greatest possible amount of
service from each in his separate capacity.
Among the workmen a still worse temper was noticeable; they showed an
utter absence of all feeling, they were moved neither by sympathy nor
compassion. Whatever reproaches Berkow had earned, he had incontestably
proved himself to be an industrial genius of the very first order. By
his own efforts he had raised himself from poverty and lowliness to the
height of prosperity--had called into being operations on so grand a
scale as to vie with any in the land--had won for himself a position
which he might have used as a blessing to thousands. He did not so use
it, had not been willing to do the good he might, and, therefore,
through all his belongings, throughout his vast establishment, a deep
breath of relief was drawn when his sudden death became known. "Thank
God!" was the thought unexpressed, but felt by all, and in this manner
judgment was passed on his memory.
Whether the inheritance of such a life and all that it had sown year by
year were, in reality, as desirable as appearances suggested, shall not
here be decided. However that might be, its first effect on the young
heir was to lay on his shoulders such a heavy burden of care and
business as, according to the general opinion, he was of all men least
fitted to bear. He had, it is true, officials for each separate
department, representatives and authorised agents, but the very fact
that his father had thoroughly understood how to keep them all in
subjection to himself and under his sovereign control, made the present
need greater, the absence of the guiding eye and hand of the master
himself more keenly felt. The son had now to take the reins in hand,
and, before ever he could do so, the significant shrugs of all his
dependants showed their unanimous judgment, or rather condemnation, of
him. They were all of one mind as to this: he was to be counted on for
nothing, or next to nothing.
The entire staff of officials was assembled in the committee-room,
awaiting the arrival of the new proprietor who had convoked the meeting
for this hour. Any one who saw these gentlemen's irresolute disturbed
countenances, some of which bore traces of real anxiety, would have
been convinced that more important matters were on hand than the mere
formal introduction of the heir, now that the first days of mourning
were over.
"That was a blow," the Director was saying to Herr Schaeffer, who had
come out from the city, "the very worst that could have happened to us!
We knew long ago what they were concerting and planning among
themselves, and the same thing is going on now on all the neighbouring
works. We could see it coming, and we should have taken some
precautionary measures, but now, just at this juncture! It places us
altogether at their mercy."
"Hartmann has chosen his time well," put in the chief-engineer
bitterly. "He knows what he is about in going ahead like this, without
waiting for the other works. The master gone, all the affairs in
confusion and at a standstill, the heir incapable of any energetic
action--now is the very time to push his claims! I always told you
this Hartmann would be a thorn in our flesh. The people are not
ill-disposed; we cannot blame them for wanting to secure for themselves
safety in the mines and the necessaries of life. They have held out
under oppressive circumstances as no others have, and they would have
made reasonable demands which might have been granted. That which they
want to dictate to us now under their present leader passes all belief.
It is a regular revolt against all existing institutions."
"What will the young gentleman do.'" asked Wilberg, rather timidly.
Among these helpless, anxious men, he was most helpless, most anxious
of all.
"What, under the circumstances, he can't help doing," returned Herr
Schaeffer, gravely. "Agree to whatever they ask."
"Excuse me, he cannot do that," cried the chief-engineer. "There would
be an end of all discipline, and before the year is out he would be a
ruined man. At any rate, I should not remain on any works where that
course was adopted."
Schaeffer shrugged his shoulders.
"And yet there is hardly any alternative left him. I have told you
already that things are by no means so brilliant with us as they appear
to be. We have had losses of late, very heavy losses. On every side
there have been deficits to cover, sacrifices to make, and, with all
this, so many engagements to meet.... In short, we have nothing to
reckon on but the actual returns from the works. If they remain idle
for a few months, and we cannot carry out the contracts we have
undertaken for the year, then--it is all up with us."
"Something of this must have got wind among the hands," said the
chief-engineer, thoughtfully, "or they would not have dared to show so
bold a front. But they know full well that what has once been conceded
can never be recalled. Hartmann will strain every nerve to gain his
end, and if, owing to the stress of circumstances, he should really
succeed!... What said Herr Arthur when you acquainted him with the
state of his affairs?"
It was noticeable that none of the officials even spoke of him as Herr
Berkow or as their principal. They seemed not to be able to associate
such terms with their late master's son. They called him Herr Arthur or
"the young gentleman," as they had been in the habit of doing. At the
last question all eyes were turned on Schaeffer.
"Nothing," said Schaeffer. "'I am obliged to you, Schaeffer.' That was
all. But he kept the papers, which I had taken with me for his
edification, and shut himself up with them. I have not spoken to him
since."
"I spoke to him yesterday evening when I had to submit to him our
people's demands," said the Director. "At the first mention of the bad
news, he turned deadly pale, but he listened in silence without
answering a syllable, and when I gave him a few words of counsel and
encouragement, feeling sure that it would end in a consultation, he
sent me away. 'He wished first to consider the matter alone.' Imagine,
if you please, Herr Arthur considering! This morning I received
instructions to summon you all to a conference."
The old sarcastic lines showed round Herr Schaeffer's mouth.
"I am afraid I can tell you the result of our conference beforehand.
'Consent to everything, gentlemen, give way unconditionally, do what
you like, only make sure that the works are kept going for the
present.' And then he will make the announcement that he is going back
to the city with her ladyship, and intends to leave matters here to
Providence and to Herr Hartmann."
"But blow after blow is falling upon him just now!" broke in Wilberg,
taking the part of the absent with chivalrous warmth. "A stronger man
than he might well succumb."
"Yes, weakness always finds sympathy from you," said the
chief-engineer, derisively. "But, during the last few weeks, you seem
to have had a very decided leaning in the opposite direction. Herr
Hartmann was in the enjoyment of your special friendship. Do you still
rave about him?"
"Good Heavens, no!" cried Wilberg, with almost a look of consternation.
"I have felt a horror of the man ever since--ever since Herr Berkow's
sudden death."
"So have I," said the chief-engineer shortly, "and so, I suppose, have
we all. It is revolting to have to treat precisely with him, but when
there are no proofs, one does well to be silent."
"Do you seriously believe then in the possibility of a crime?" asked
Schaeffer lowering his voice.
The Director shrugged his shoulders.
"At the inquest, they only proved the fact of the ropes having given
way. They may have given way of themselves; whether it really was so or
not, can only be known to Hartmann. As I said before, the inquest
brought nothing to light, and there certainly would have been no just
grounds for suspicion had any other man been his companion. This fellow
is capable of anything."
"But, remember, his own life was in the greatest peril. He saved
himself by a spring, which was a daring feat not one in ten could have
attempted, and which, assuredly, not one in ten would have made
successfully. He must have expected to go down with the other and be
dashed to pieces."
The chief-engineer shook his head.
"You little know Ulric Hartmann, if you think he would hesitate to risk
his life in any undertaking he was bent on carrying through. You stood
by that day when he rushed before those horses. It was his humour then
to come to the rescue. When the fancy takes him to destroy, he will
care little about bringing destruction on himself. That is just the
dangerous point about this man. He is utterly without consideration
either for himself or for others. He would sacrifice himself in case of
need, if"----
He broke off suddenly, for at this moment the young proprietor came in.
Arthur was greatly changed. The deep mourning he wore made his
naturally pale face appear still more pallid, and his eyes looked as if
he had known no sleep for many a night. He returned the officials'
greeting quietly, as he stepped in among them.
"I have sent for you, gentlemen, that I might confer with you on the
subject of those business concerns which have passed into my hands
through my father's death. There is much in them to set in order and
much to change, more, possibly, than we at first supposed. Up to the
present time, I have, as you are aware, held myself completely aloof
from all these matters, and I shall not be able to feel my way at once,
though, during the last few days, I have attempted to do so. I must,
therefore, rely entirely upon your goodwill and readiness to assist me,
and, as I shall, doubtless, make many claims on you for both, I offer
you beforehand my sincere thanks."
The gentlemen bowed; marks of astonishment were already visible on most
of their faces, and the chief-engineer cast a glance at the Director,
which seemed to say, "So far, he is rational enough."
"All these things," continued Arthur, "must give place for the moment
to the misfortune, the danger with which we are threatened by the
demands our miners have made upon us, and by the suspension of work
which might follow on our non-agreement to them. Of course, there can
be no question as to our decision."
This time it was Herr Schaeffer's turn to shoot a glance over to the
chief-engineer; it spoke as plainly as its predecessor: "Did not I tell
you so? he makes unconditional surrender. Now he is going to announce
his departure."
But the young proprietor seemed in no haste to do so; he went on:
"In the first place, we must find out who drills the people, and who
leads them?"
A pause of a few seconds followed. None of the officials cared to
pronounce a name they had so lately associated with the recent
accident. At last the chief-engineer said:
"Hartmann leads them, and so there can be no doubt that they are in
able hands, and that the movement has been well organised."
Arthur looked thoughtfully before him.
"I fear so too, and there will be a battle, for, as to a complete
concession on our part, of course, there can be no question of it."
"Of course, there can be no question of it!" repeated the
chief-engineer triumphantly, thereby giving the signal for a very
animated debate, in which he most resolutely defended the views he had
previously expressed. Herr Schaeffer, who represented the opposition,
was not less eager in his endeavours, by all sorts of hints and covert
allusions which were understood by his young principal but too clearly,
to prove to the latter that there was no help but to yield.
On the other hand, the Director preserved a sort of neutrality,
advising delay and some negotiations. The remaining officials let the
heads of the different departments have the discussion to themselves,
risking only an occasional remark, or modestly expressed opinion.
Arthur listened to it all in silence, and apparently with much
attention, neither leaning to one side nor the other, but when Schaeffer
brought one of his longest speeches to a close with the explicit words
"we must!" he raised his head suddenly with an air of resolution which
hushed all the voices round him.
"We must not, Herr Schaeffer. There is something more to be considered
in this than the question of money; my position here as master would be
ruined for ever if I were thus to surrender at discretion. Though
I am but little acquainted with these things, I can plainly see that
such demands as are now made overstep all bounds. You allow that,
gentlemen? Abuses may have crept in, the miners may have grounds for
complaint" ....
"That they have, Herr Berkow," interrupted the chief-engineer stoutly.
"They are in the right when they ask for a thorough examination of the
mines, and for the necessary repairs and improvements; they are right
in requiring that their wages shall be raised, and there is something
to be said also in favour of relief to be granted in the division of
labour. Beyond this all is arrogant presumption, and due solely to
their leader Hartmann. He is the soul of the whole business."
"Then we will hear him first. I have already sent him word that his
presence, and that of the other delegates, might be necessary here.
They are in attendance. Herr Wilberg, will you call them in?"
Herr Wilberg obeyed, his open mouth and almost stupid expression of
countenance betokening extreme amazement. Herr Schaeffer raised his
eyebrows and stared at the Director. The latter took a pinch of snuff
and stared at the others, and then they all turned their gaze
collectively on the new proprietor, who thus suddenly made arrangements
and gave out orders in a tone which fairly bewildered them. The
chief-engineer was, perhaps, the one exception. He turned his back on
his colleagues, and took up his stand at Arthur's side, knowing well by
this time where his allegiance was due.
Meanwhile Wilberg had returned, followed by Ulric Hartmann, Lawrence
and another miner. As though it were a matter of course, these two
remained some steps behind and let the young Deputy advance alone.
"Good day!"[1] said he, and "Good day!" repeated his two comrades; but
the tone of the greeting seemed to contradict its meaning. Ulric's
bearing had always been imperious and defiant, but it had never assumed
so challenging and absolutely insulting an air as now that, for the
first time, he came before the master and assembled officials, no
longer as a subordinate to receive orders and instructions, but as a
delegate who had not to submit his terms, no, but to dictate them!
His attitude betrayed, it is true, no low-minded arrogance, but rather
that disdainful sense of superiority, which the consciousness of his
own strength and others' weakness bears in upon a man. He let his moody
blue eyes travel slowly round the circle until they fixed themselves,
at last, upon the principal, and his lips curled contemptuously as he
awaited in silence the opening speech.
Arthur had not seated himself during the previous discussion. He stood
now, grave and collected, and faced the man, who, as every one
declared, was principally to blame for the blow which threatened him.
Of that far deeper blame connected with his father's last moments, he,
the son, was happily quite unsuspicious. He began the negotiation,
therefore, with perfect composure.
"Deputy Hartmann, you submitted to me yesterday, through the Director
of this establishment, the claims put forward by all the miners
employed on my works, and in case of these not being conceded, you
threatened a general cessation of work."
"Just so, Herr Berkow," was the short decided answer.
Arthur leaned with his hand on the table, but his tone was cool and
business-like; it betrayed no emotion whatever.
"Before we go any further, I wish to know what you really have in view
in this proceeding. These are no reasonable demands, they amount to a
declaration of war, for you must say to yourselves that I neither can
nor will make any such concessions."
"Whether you can make them or not, I don't know, Herr Berkow," said
Ulric coldly, "but I believe that you will have to make them, for we
are determined to let the works lie idle until you have agreed to our
terms. You won't find men to replace us in the whole province."
The argument was forcible, and little could be objected to it, but the
tone in which it was put forth was scornful in the extreme.
Arthur's brows contracted angrily.
"It is far from being my intention to refuse you everything," he
explained steadily. "Among your demands are several the justice of
which I acknowledge, and those I am ready to meet. An examination of
the shafts and mines shall be made and the necessary alterations at
once completed. The wages will, in part at least, be raised. To
accomplish this, I shall have to make heavy sacrifices, more, perhaps,
than in a business point of view I am justified in making, but it shall
be done. On the other hand, the remaining clauses must be withdrawn.
They tend solely to take all power from me and my agents, and to relax
that discipline which, in such a concern as this, is a question of
paramount importance."
Ulric's contemptuous expression had disappeared and given place to a
look of surprise and distrust. He turned his eyes first on the
officials and then on their leader, evidently suspecting that the
latter was reciting a lesson previously learnt by heart.
"I am sorry, Herr Berkow, but the clauses must stand!" he returned
defiantly.
"I can well believe that to you they form the main point at issue,"
said Arthur, "nevertheless, I repeat it, they must be withdrawn. In my
concessions I will go to the extreme limit of what seems practicable.
There I shall stop, and shall attempt nothing further. That which I am
ready to grant should and would content every man who is seeking honest
remunerative labour. Those who are not satisfied with it are seeking
something quite different, and with such there can be no hope of coming
to an understanding. I give you my word of honour that all necessary
precautions shall be taken for the safety of the men who work in the
mines, and that there shall be an increase of wages. I shall only
require from you some confidence in my word. Before, however, we begin
to discuss the matter, the second part of your claims must be given up.
They can never be made good, for no consideration on earth would induce
me to subscribe to them."
He had maintained throughout the same quiet business-like tone, but the
whole tenor of his speech differed so widely from the young heir's
habitual style and manner that it could not fail to have some effect on
Ulric. He could hardly believe his own ears, but the more unexpected
resistance was to him, coming from a quarter where he had surely
reckoned on some timid compromise which should serve as a bridge to
absolute surrender, so much the more did such resistance anger him, and
his fiery spirit broke at once through the unaccustomed restraint.
"You had better not put the matter from you in that way, Herr Berkow,"
said he, in a threatening voice. "There are two thousand of us, and the
works are as good as in our hands. The time is past when you could make
slaves of us and crush us at your liking. Now we demand our rights, and
if we can't get them by fair means, we shall take them by force."
A movement, half of anger, half of uneasiness, passed through the
circle of bystanders. They felt that a scene was at hand, and dreaded
lest, through Hartmann's savage temper, it might end with some deeds of
violence.
Arthur had grown crimson. He stepped forward a few paces and stood
close to Ulric, facing him.
"First of all, Hartmann, have the goodness to alter your tone, and
remember you are addressing your employer. If you wish to be received
here as a delegate, if you lay claims, as such, to some sort of
equality, you must behave with the propriety which is customary on such
occasions, and not fling in our faces threats of violence and revolt.
You exact discipline from your people, and I exact it from you. Lord it
outside over your comrades as much as you choose, but so long as I
stand here before you, it is I who am master of these works--and I
intend to remain so. Keep that fact in mind."
A thunderbolt falling into the committee-room could not have had a more
startling effect than these words, spoken with great energy and in
commanding accents. The officials receded in their first surprise, and
then moved round their leader as if to protect him, but he quietly
waved them back.
The two miners, standing in the background, stared at him half
stupefied by their astonishment; but, of all present, Ulric was most
seriously affected by this sudden display of vigour. He had grown
deadly pale and stood bending forwards, with trembling lips, with eyes
wide open, as though he could not, would not, understand that which he
saw and heard. A great blaze of anger flashed into his face, and he was
about to rush at his enemy like an enraged lion, when he met a look so
clear, so calm and steadfast, that it quelled him as it would have
quelled the kingly beast he resembled.
Arthur still stood motionless, he had but opened his eyes wide and
full, and with his eyes alone had ordered back within bounds that
furious spirit in the very act of breaking forth. Only a few seconds
did they gaze at one another; then the fortune of the day was decided.
Gradually Ulric unclenched his right hand; gradually the wild look of
menace vanished from his countenance and his eyes sought the ground. He
had recognised in his young employer an equal, if not a superior mind,
and he bowed before it.
Arthur stepped back. His voice sounded cold and quiet again as he
continued: "And now let your comrades know what I can grant and what I
cannot. You may add that I shall not retract a single word of all that
I have said. So we have done for the present.
"We have," Ulric's voice was low and hoarse, half stifled by repressed
passion. "I must inform you then, in the name of the miners employed on
these works, that all hands will go on strike tomorrow morning."
"Very well, I was prepared for it. And now, I warn you, Hartmann, once
for all, to take no extreme measures. They say you have unlimited power
over your comrades. Look to it then that quiet and order are
maintained, and do not hope to intimidate by noisy disturbances. I and
my friends here will do all and everything to avoid a conflict. If it
is forced upon us, we shall take up a defensive position, and, if it
comes to the worst, I shall use my rights as master of the place. Spare
both me and yourselves that."
Ulric turned to go. In the hate and fury of his parting glance there
mingled a something other, deeper, undivined by any; a something which
tightened round his wild passionate heart with a cramp-like hold. He
had so taught himself to despise this 'weakling,' and so triumphed in
the thought that he must be despised ... elsewhere also. But if the man
showed himself elsewhere as here, then there must be an end of all
contempt, and the great brown eyes, which had compelled obedience from
him, might there compel some other feeling than hatred and repugnance.
The pallor, which had overspread the miner's face on receiving that
reprimand, became almost livid as he turned away.
"We shall see who holds out longest. Good day."
He went, accompanied by his two comrades, whose faces showed that the
scene they had just witnessed had worked differently on them than on
their leader. They cast back a look half shy, half respectful at their
master, and their manner, on leaving the room, was hesitating and
uncertain.
Arthur looked after them with a scrutinising gaze, and then turned to
the officials.
"There are two already who follow him in a half-hearted way. I hope the
majority of them will come to their senses, if we give them time. For
the present, gentlemen, we must yield to necessity and close the works.
I quite appreciate the danger of our position here, in a secluded place
with two thousand excited men having a leader like Hartmann at their
head, but I am determined to stand my ground, and not to give way an
inch until all is decided. It must, of course, depend entirely on your
own choice whether you follow me or not. As almost all of you were
opposed to my decision, I, naturally, cannot force the consequences of
it upon you, and I am quite ready to give leave of absence to any one
who thinks a temporary removal from the works desirable."
This proposal was answered by a unanimous and indignant negative. All
the officials pressed round their principal with almost passionate
eagerness, assuring him that not one of them would budge from his
place. Even the timid Herr Wilberg seemed suddenly to have acquired the
courage of a lion, so earnestly did he give in his adhesion. Arthur
drew a long breath of relief.
"I thank you, gentlemen. We will discuss things further this afternoon,
and agree as to the measures to be taken. I must leave you now. Herr
Schaeffer, in an hour I shall be glad to see you over in my study. Once
more, gentlemen, I thank you all."
Only when he had gone, and the door had fairly closed behind him, did
all the different feelings of astonishment, approval and apprehension
find vent, which up to this time had been restrained by his presence.
"I am trembling in every limb," said Wilberg, forgetting his superiors'
close vicinity and letting himself fall on to a seat. The excitement of
the moment seemed to have done away with all considerations of
etiquette. "Good Heavens, that was a scene! I thought that savage,
Hartmann, would rush upon him! but his look! his way of speaking! Who
could have expected it from him?"
"He was too sharp, a great deal too sharp," said Schaeffer
disapprovingly; but, even in his disapproval and in the thoughtful
shake of his head, there was quite another expression to that which he
had lately manifested in speaking of Arthur. "He talked as though he
had still command over millions, and as though it were not a question
of life and death with him to keep the works going. With all the
father's arrogance, he would have given way here unconditionally, for,
as far as the business is concerned, it would have been salvation to
him, and he was not troubled by many considerations as to his dignity
and his position. The son seems to be made of different stuff, but that
kind of speech, though a year ago it might have answered very well, is
out of place now. He should have been more prudent, rather more vague
in his expressions, so as to have left open a way of retreat in case
of"----
"The deuce take your prudence and your hesitation!" interrupted the
chief-engineer hotly. "Excuse me for any rudeness, Herr Schaeffer, but
it is quite evident that you have been accustomed to office life, and
have never had great masses of workmen under your command. He just hit
the right nail on the head. He awed them, and, in a case like this,
that is everything. They would have taken a kindly exhortation as a
proof of weakness, and a cold and distant address for pride. You must
put it to them in their own language, 'make your choice between this
and that,' and our principal knows right well how to do it. You could
see that by Hartmann."
"I only fear that, with it all, he under-estimates the struggle before
us," said the Director gravely: "If our people were alone, they would
declare themselves satisfied with the concessions made to them, but,
with a leader like Hartmann, it will be different. He will admit of no
sort of arrangement, and they all follow him blindfold. But our
principal is right. He has gone as far as he possibly can. To overstep
these limits would be to deliver himself, his position, and all of us,
up into their hands."
They began to speak now of "our principal," as if it were a thing of
course. In one hour Arthur had won the title for himself; it seemed now
the only proper designation for him. He must indeed have shown himself
well fitted to rule.
The three delegates had left the house, and walked away in the
direction of the works. Ulric spoke no word, but Lawrence said in a low
voice:
"You were saying a little while ago that if some one knew when to show
his teeth, and when to give them good words, then .... Well, Ulric, I
think there is some one up there that does know."
Ulric did not answer. He cast a look up at the windows, and a
thunder-cloud gathered on his brow.
"So all that lay hidden behind those sleepy eyes of his, which looked
fit for nothing in the world but napping," he murmured between his
tightly set teeth. "'So long as I stand here, I am master of these
works!' I really believe the man has the making of it in him."
They here met a group of miners, special partisans of Ulric, who had
not made the descent into the mine with the others, and who now pressed
round the three ambassadors with much noisy questioning.
"Ulric will tell you all about it," said Lawrence, drily. "I think we
have gone to the wrong man. He does not mean to give way."
"Not?"
All the miners looked disappointed. They had evidently reckoned on
another answer. Some angry exclamations and menaces against the young
proprietor were heard, and his name was several times mentioned in
terms of undisguised contempt.
"Hold your tongues, lads!" called out Ulric imperiously. "You don't
know the man we have just seen. I thought we should have had easy work,
now that the father is out of the way. We have all been mistaken in the
son. He has got something no one would have looked for in such a
milksop; he has got a will of his own. I tell you, he will give us some
trouble yet."