In a strong gale the
foundations begin to work, and in the chafing the rock gets the worst
of it."

"What about concrete?"

"You might fill up the sockets with concrete; but I doubt, sir, if
the case would hold for any time. The rock is a mere shell in
places, especially on the north-western side."

"H'm. You were at Oxford for a time, were you not?"

"Yes, sir," Taffy answered, wondering.

"I've heard about you. Where do you live?"

Taffy pointed to the last of a line of three whitewashed cottages
behind the light-house.

"Alone?"

"No, sir; with my mother and my grandmother. She is an invalid."

"I wonder if your mother would be kind enough to offer me a cup of
tea?"

In the small kitchen, on the walls of which, and even on the dresser,
Taffy's books fought for room with Humility's plates and tin-ware,
the Chief Engineer proved to be a most courteous old gentleman.
Towards Humility he bore himself with an antique politeness which
flattered her considerably. And when he praised her tea she almost
forgave him for his detestable habit of snuff-taking.

He had heard something (it appeared) from the President of Taffy's
college, and also from--(he named Taffy's old friend in the velvet
college-cap). In later days Taffy maintained not only that every man
must try to stand alone, but that he ought to try the harder because
of its impossibility; for in fact it was impossible to escape from
men's helpfulness. And though his work was done in lonely places
where in the end fame came out to seek him, he remained the same boy
who, waking in the dark, had heard the bugles speaking comfort.

As a matter of fact his college had generously offered him a chance
which would have cost him nothing or next to nothing, of continuing
to read for his degree. But he had chosen his line, and against
Humility's entreaties he stuck to it. The Chief Engineer took a
ceremonious leave. He had to drive back to his hotel, and Taffy
escorted him to his carriage.

"I shall run over again to-morrow," he said at parting; "and we'll
have a look at that island rock." He was driven off, secretly a
little puzzled.

Well, it puzzled Taffy at times why he should be working here with
Mendarva's men for twenty shillings a week (it had been eighteen, to
begin with) when he might be reading for his degree and a fellowship.
Yet in his heart he knew the reason. _That_ would be building, after
all, on the foundations which Honoria had