And the two men stood side by side watching the malgamite workers, who
now quitted the train and stood huddled together in a dull apathy on
the roomy platform.

"But you will soon get them into shape, no doubt," said Cornish, with
characteristic optimism. He was essentially of a class that has always
some one at hand to whom to relegate tasks which it could do more
effectually and more quickly for itself. The secret of human happiness
is to be dependent upon as few human beings as possible.

"Oh yes! We shall soon get them into shape--the sea air and all that,
you know."

Roden looked at his _proteges_ with large, sad eyes, in which there was
alike no enthusiasm and no spark of human kindness. Cornish wondered
vaguely what he was thinking about. The thoughts were certainly tinged
with pessimism, and lacked entirely the blindness of an enthusiasm by
which men are urged to endeavour great things for the good of the
masses, and to make, as far as a practical human perception may
discern, huge and hideous mistakes.

"Von Holzen is down below," said Roden, at length. "As soon as he comes
up we will draft them off in batches of ten, and pack them into the
omnibuses. The luggage can follow. Ah! Here comes Von Holzen. You don't
know him, do you?"

"No; I don't know him."

They both went forward to meet a man of medium height, with square