"Just as a judge.... Straight as a die.... There wasn't a crooked turn
in him": simple phrases conveying a magnificent tribute. For what better
in anyone can you have than the straightness of a die, whether you
regard him as man or master? And such straightness in a shipbuilder is
not that the supreme quality?

At all events this quality of absolute rectitude, so indispensable in
other respects, was the main quality which, in their personal relations
with him, won for Andrews the admiration and esteem of the Islanders.
They could trust him. He would see fair play. "If he caught you doing
wrong he wasn't afraid to tell you so." "If he found you breaking a rule
he wouldn't fire you straight away, but would give you the rough side of
his tongue and a friendly caution." "So long as one reported a mistake
honestly he had consideration, but try to hide it away and he blazed at
you." "He had a grand eye for good work and a good man, and the man who
did good work, no matter who he was, got a clap on the shoulder." So the
Islanders, this man and that; and then once more comes the crowning
judgment on the tongue of so many, "He was straight as a die."

But not that one quality alone gained for Andrews his great, one might
say his unique, popularity in the Yard. His vast knowledge, his mastery
of detail, his assiduity, his zest: all these merits had their due
effect upon the men: and effective too was the desire he showed always
to get the best possible out of every worker. It was not enough to _do_
your job, he expected you to _think_ about it: and if from your thinking
resulted a suggestion it got his best consideration. It might be
worthless--never mind, better luck next time; if it were worth a cent, he
would make it shine in your eyes like a dollar.

In addition, were those more personal qualities--emanations, so to speak,
of the man's character: his generosity, kindliness, patience, geniality,
humour, humility, courage, that great laugh of his, the winning smile,
the fine breezy presence: of those also the men had constant and
intimate experience. Anyone in trouble might be sure of his sympathy.
After a spell of sickness his handshake and hearty greeting stirred new
life in your blood. Once he found a great fellow ill-treating a small
foreman who, for sufficient reason, had docked his wages; whereupon
Andrews took off his coat and hammered the bully. During labour and
party troubles, he several times, at risk of his life,