ng done something
tremendous--these signs frightened Edwin and shook his courage for the
demand compared to which the demand for the keys was naught. Still, the
affair had to be carried through.

"And I say," he proceeded, jingling the keys, "about signing and
endorsing cheques. They tell me at the Bank that if you sign a general
authority to me to do it for you, that will be enough."

He could not avoid looking guilty. He almost felt guilty, almost felt
as if he were plotting against his father's welfare. And as he spoke
his words seemed unreal and his suggestion fantastic. At the Bank the
plan had been simple, easy, and perfectly natural. But there could be
no doubt, that as he had walked up Trafalgar Road, receding from the
Bank and approaching his father, the plan had gradually lost those
attractive qualities. And now in the garden it was merely monstrous.

Silent, Darius resumed the spade.

"Well," said Edwin desperately. "What about it?"

"Do you think"--Darius glowered upon him with heavy, desolating
scorn--"do you think as I'm going to let you sign my cheques for me?
You're taking too much on yourself, my lad."

"But--"

"I tell ye you're taking too much on yourself!" he began to shout
menacingly. "Get about your business and don't act the fool! You
needn't think you're going to be God A'mighty because you've got up a
bit earlier for once in a way and been down to th' shop before
breakfast."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

THREE.

In all his demeanour there was not the least indication of weakness. He
might never have sat down on the stairs and cried! He might never have
submitted feebly and perhaps gladly to the caresses of Clara and the
soothings of Auntie Hamps! Impossible to convince him that he was cut
off from the world! Impossible even to believe it! Was this the man
that Edwin and the Bank manager and the doctor and all the others had
been disposing of as though he were an automaton accurately responsive
to external suggestion?

"Look here," Edwin knew that he ought to say. "Let it be clearly
understood once for all--I'm the boss now! I have the authority in my
pocket and you must sign it, and quick too! I shall do my best for you,
but I don't mean to be bullied while I'm doing it!"

But he could not say it. Nor could his heart emotionally feel it.

He turned away sheepishly, and then he faced his father again, with a
distress