Frank and Freda could not understand it. Their friends said something quite different, and their teachers too. But this was their father whom they respected and who was always good to them.

‘How did you get this work, then?’

‘I talked to them. I thought I’d like to. And I’m glad I did. I’ve been told a lot of things I didn’t know before. And at least I’ll be working only with what can profit the house and the cause of peace.’

The children stood staring at the floor.

He said, ‘You ought to be pleased! And I’m going to get such a big salary as well, that I shan’t have to watch every penny I spend, as we’ve always had to do. That’s something surely?’

They just went on staring at the floor. His argument left them tongue-tied. It was true enough that he had had to count every penny for their sakes so that they could stay on at school; they had wanted to so desperately. But all the same why had he gone to them? Everyone they talked to was afraid of them. Why had he taken this job that nobody else wanted? They would rather have gone on counting their pennies as before. What would their friends say when they got to hear of it? That was almost the worst thing of all.

Frank said, ‘Well, we’re not happy about it, but…’

But – he had let himself add that because he was his father in spite of everything, and because he had always been good to them.

Freda stammered, ‘Couldn’t you go and see them and say you can’t take it after all?’

The arrow polisher was still basking in reflected glory from the powerful people he had been talking to.

‘You don’t understand what’s at stake,’ he said. You’re still children and you believe everything other children gossip about. When you’ve grown up you’ll understand that I had to take this step. It’s the responsibility of every one of us to pull his weight, if we want to live in this house. What else could I do? There’s no choice in the matter. You must ignore your own petty desires when larger issues are at stake. I myself am of no importance really.’

They listened to him, staring at the floor. If Father said so, they supposed it must seem like that to him. They searched their memories and could not remember his ever deceiving them or playing tricks on them.

He had more to tell them.

‘You must support me in any way you can so that I can do my job. If I know you’re on my side I shall be much stronger. For it’s not an easy situation. I expect there’ll be misunderstanding and gossip. So you two must stand by me quietly and faithfully.’

He spoke in such a manner as to swing them towards him. He possessed these words because he was still intoxicated by his meeting with the powerful people, the rulers of the house. Their words were suddenly pouring out of him.