'This is trifling with a grave question. We all know perfectly well that happiness is the conscious exertion of individual powers. Why is there so much suffering under our present social system? Because the majority of men are crushed to a dead level of mechanical toil, with no opportunity of developing their special faculties. Give a man scope, and happiness is put within his reach.' 'What do you mean by scope?' inquired Godwin. 'Scope? Scope? Why, room to expand. The vice of our society is hypocrisy; it comes of over-crowding. When a man isn't allowed to be himself, he takes refuge in a mean imitation of those other men who appear to be better off. That was what sent me off to South America. I got into politics, and found that I was in danger of growing dishonest, of compromising, and toadying. In the wilderness, I found myself again.--Do you seriously believe that happiness can be obtained by ignoring one's convictions?' He addressed the question to both, snuffing the air with head thrown back. 'What if you have no convictions?' asked Peak. 'Then you are incapable of happiness in any worthy sense! You may graze, but you will never feast.' The listeners joined in laughter, and Malkin, after a moment's hesitation, allowed his face to relax in good-humoured sympathy. 'Now look here!' he cried. 'You--Earwaker; suppose you sent conscience to the devil, and set yourself to please Runcorn by increasing the circulation of your paper by whatever means. You would flourish, undoubtedly. In a short time you would be chief editor, and your pockets would burst with money. But what about your peace of mind? What about happiness?' 'Why, I'm disposed to agree with Peak,' answered the journalist. 'If I _could_ take that line, I should be a happier man than conscientiousness will ever make me.' Malkin swelled with indignation. 'You don't mean it! You are turning a grave argument into jest!--Where's my hat? Where the devil is my hat? Send for me again when you are disposed to talk seriously.' He strode towards the door, but Earwaker arrested him with a shout. 'You're leaving your pipe!' 'So I am. Where is it?--Did I tell you where I bought this pipe?' 'No. What's the wood?' On the instant Malkin fell into a cheerful vein of reminiscence. In five minutes he was giving a rapturous description of tropical scenes, laughing joyously as he addressed now one now the other of his companions. 'I hear you have a mind to see those countries, Mr. Peak,' he said at length. 'If you care for a travelling companion--rather short-tempered, but you'll pardon that--pray give me the preference. I should enjoy above all things to travel with a man of science.' 'It's very doubtful whether I shall ever get so far,' Godwin replied, musingly. And, as he spoke, he rose to take leave. Earwaker's protest that it was not yet ten o'clock did not influence him.