He pauses for effect. Charlie is watching Renfrew’s hands. They are small, handsome, freckled hands covered in fine, reddish hair. When he speaks, they dance in front of his body.

“The answer is that we had to go, because we may be called upon to do so again.”

He shuts off the murmur of ill will before it is conscious of itself.

“Two hours ago, as we were leaving the city, all of you saw some gentlemen walking through the city with charts. They were engineers, charged with remodelling the sewage system. Yes, the sewage system. The dirtiest place in a dirty city; the place where all muck and filth collects. They do so not from need, not for profit, nor because they are bound by contract. They do so because it needs doing. Because, like you, they are gentlemen from the country’s finest families. Because they see a cesspool and wish to clean it, improve it, reform it.

“To do so, they must stay, sometimes for days and weeks, in the very centre of London. They must breathe its Smoke and taste its infection. They must endure having their senses clouded, their skin stained, their clothes turned to rags. They must fight temptation, must fight weakness even in their sleep. But they are gentlemen and they are strong. And each time they go, they are stronger, better prepared. More determined, more steeled in their convictions.

“These gentlemen are you. After your studies — as engineers or as doctors, as men of politics or scholars of political science, as scientists and architects — you will be called upon to serve your country and to improve the lives of those miserable wretches we beheld today. When the day comes, do not hide from this responsibility. Do not hide behind fear, or comfort, or the claim of ignorance. When the day comes, stand proud and answer the call of duty. I know you will.”

Renfrew scans his audience’s faces. His certainty is like a force. Like Smoke. It travels through the air and settles in your bones.

“I—we—took you to London today so you would see it for yourself. Infection cannot be explained. It must be felt. Today you are afraid of it. You felt its power and quivered before it. But tomorrow — tomorrow you will face it like an enemy. Tomorrow you will begin thinking about what you can do to change things. To take up the fight. It is your duty as Christian men. As men, I say. For you return from London, no longer boys.”

The roar that follows his last statement surprises even those who stand cheering. Even Thomas falls in with it, stands next to Charlie hollering out a triple “Hurrah!” For once it is Julius who stands apart. Charlie watches him, at the edge of the circle of boys, face drawn, chewing on his tongue.