 What he has to do is
to assert himself. Every man's first duty is to assert himself. At all events,
this is how I regard the matter. I am all for individualism, for the development
of one's personality at whatever cost. No compromise on points of faith!
Earwaker has his ideal of journalistic duty, and in a fight with fellows like
Runcorn and Kenyon he must stand firm as a rock.«
    »I can't see that he's called upon to fight at all,« said Peak. »He's in a
false position; let him get out of it.«
    »A false position? I can't see that. No man better fitted than Earwaker to
raise the tone of Radical journalism. Here's a big Sunday newspaper practically
in his hands; it seems to me that the circumstances give him a grand opportunity
of making his force felt. What are we all seeking but an opportunity for
striking out with effect?«
    Godwin listened with a sceptical smile, and made answer in slow, careless
tones.
    »Earwaker happens to be employed and paid by certain capitalists to increase
the sale of their paper.«
    »My dear sir!« cried the other, bouncing upon his seat. »How can you take
such a view? A great newspaper surely cannot be regarded as a mere source of
income. These capitalists declare that they have at heart the interests of the
working classes; so has Earwaker, and he is far better able than they to promote
those interests. His duty is to apply their money to the best use, morally
speaking. If he were lukewarm in the matter, I should be the first to advise his
retirement; but this fight is entirely congenial to him. I trust he will hold
his own to the last possible moment.«
    »You must remember,« put in the journalist, with a look of amusement, »that
Peak has no sympathy with Radicalism.«
    »I lament it, but that does not affect my argument. If you were a high Tory,
I should urge you just as strongly to assert yourself. Surely you agree with
this point of mine, Mr. Peak? You admit that a man must develop whatever
strength is in him.«
    »I'm not at all sure of that.«
    Malkin fixed himself sideways in the chair, and examined his collocutor's
face earnestly. He endeavoured to subdue his excitement to the tone of courteous
debate, but the words that at length escaped him were humorously blunt.
    »Then of what are
