"I like it well," said he.

"'Tis a proper place for a lad of mettle." Several of those who sat around heard his words and applauded them.
"What's that ?" cried the black-maned Bodymaster from the end of the table.
"'Tis our new brother, sir, who finds our ways to his taste." McMurdo rose to his feet for an instant.

"I would say, Eminent Bodymaster, that if a man should be wanted I should take it as an honour to be chosen to help the lodge." There was great applause at this.

It was felt that a new sun was pushing its rim above the horizon.

To some of the elders it seemed that the progress was a little too rapid.
"I would move," said the secretary, Harraway, a vulture-faced old graybeard who sat near the chairman, "that Brother McMurdo should wait until it is the good pleasure of the lodge to employ him." "Sure, that was what I meant; I'm in your hands," said McMurdo.
"Your time will come, Brother," said the chairman.