Imaginary bird, and suddenly Duff's face was in his sights. Sean was

taken so by surprise that he stood with the gun trained at Duff's head.

Don't shoot, I'll come quietly, said Duff solemnly.

Sean lowered the shotgun and carried it back to the rack.

Hello.

Hello, Duff answered, still standing in the doorway.

Sean made a pretence of fitting the gun into the rack with his back to

DuffHow are you, laddie? Fine! Fine! How's everybody else? To whom

do you refer, in particular? Sean asked. Candy, for one. Sean

considered the question. Well, you could have damaged her more by

feeding her into a stamp mill! Bad, hey? Bad, agreed Sean.

They stood in silence for a while.

I take it that you are not very well disposed towards me either, Duff

said at last.

Sean shrugged his shoulders and moved across to the fireplace.

Dufford, you're a pig, he said conversationally.

Duff winced. Well, it was nice knowing you, laddie. I suppose from

here on our paths diverge? Don't drivel, Duff, you're wasting; time.

Pour the drinks and then you can tell me what it feels like being a pig.

Also I want to discuss with you those paintings Candy has plastered

along the upstairs corridor. I don't know whether to give them away or

burn them. Duff straightened up from leaning against the door jamb, he

tried to stop the relief showing on his face but Sean went on quickly,

Before we close the lid on the subject and bury it, I want to tell you

this. I don't like what you did. I can see why you did it, but I don't

like it.

That's my piece said. Have you got anything to add to it?

No! said Duff. All right then. I think you'll find a bottle of

Courvoisier right at the back of the cabinet behind the whisky decanter

Sean went down to Candy's Hotel that evening and found Candy in her

office. He's back, Candy. Oh! Candy caught her breath. How is he,

Sean? A little chastened, but not muchI didn't mean that, I meant is he

well? The same as ever. He had the grace to ask how you were, said

Sean.

What did you tell him? asked Candy.

Sean shrugged and sat down in the chair next to her desk. He looked at

the tall stacks of sovereigns that Candy was counting.

is that last night's bar takings? he asked, avoiding her question.

Yes, she answered absently.

You're rich, will you marry me? he smiled.

Candy stood up and walked across to the window. I suppose you two will

be moving up to Xanadu now, she said. Sean grunted and she went on

quickly. The Heyns brothers will take over the Victoria rooms they've

spoken to me about it already, so don't worry about that. You'll have

fun up there, it will be marvelous for you. I bet you'll have parties

every night and crowds of people. I don't mind, I've gotten used to the

idea now Sean stood up and went to her, he took her gently by the elbow

and turned her to face him. He gave her the silk handkerchief out of

his top pocket to blow her nose. Do you want to see him again, Candy?

She shook her head, not trusting her voice.

I'll look after him like I promised. He gave her a hug and turned to

go.

Sean, she called after him. He looked back. You'll come to see me

sometimes. We could have dinner and talk a little. You'll still be my

friend, won't you? Of course, Candy, of course, my dear. She smiled

damply. If you pack your things and Duff's I'll have them sent up to

Xanadu for you.

Sean looked across the boardroom table at Duff, seeking his support.

Duff blew a thick ring of cigar smoke. It spun and expanded like a

ripple in a pond before it hit the table top and disintegrated. Duff

wasn't going; to back him up, Sean realized bitterly. They had argued

half the previous night. He had hoped that Duff might still change his

mind. Now he knew he wouldn't. He made one last appeal.

They have asked for a ten percent wage increase. I believe they need

it, prices have soared in this town, but wages have remained the same.

These men have wives and children, gentlemen, can't we take that into

account? Duff blew another smoke and Hradsky pulled his watch from his

pocket and looked at it pointedly. Max coughed and interrupted. I

think we've been over that before, Mr Courtney. Could we put it to the

vote now?

Sean watched Hradsky's hand go up against him. He didn't want to look

at Duff. He didn't want to see him vote with Hradsky, but he forced

himself to turn his head.

Duff's hands were on the table in front of him. He blew another smoke

ring and watched it hit the table top.

Those in favour of the motion? asked Max, and Duff and Sean raised

their right hands together. Sean realized then how much it would have

meant if Duff had voted against him. Duff winked at him and he couldn't

help grinning.

That is thirty votes for, and sixty against, declared Max. Therefore Mr

Courtney's motion falls to the ground. I will inform the Mineworkers,

Union of the decision. Now is there any other business before we close

the meeting?

Sean walked with Duff back to his own office. The only reason I

supported you was because I knew Hradsky would win anyway, said Duff

pleasantly. Sean snorted. He's right, of course, Duff went on

unperturbed as he held open the door to Sean's office. A ten percent

wage increase would jump the group working costs up ten thousand a

month. Sean kicked the door closed behind them and didn't answer. For

God's sake, Sean, don't carry this goodwilltowards-men attitude to

absurdity. Hradsky's right Kruger is likely to slap another one of his

taxes on us at any moment and we've got to finance all that new

development on the East Rand. We can't let production costs creep up

now. All right, gruffed Sean. It's all settled. I just hope we don't

have a strike on our hands. There are ways of dealing with strikes.

Hradsky has got the police on our side and we can have a couple of

hunched men up from Kimberley in no time at all, Duff told him.

Duff, it's wrong. You know it's wrong. That grotesque Buddha with the

little eyes knows it's wrong.

But what can I do? Damn it, what can I do? Sean exploded. I feel so

bloody helpless. Well, you're the one who wanted to give him control.

Duff laughed at him. Stop trying to change the world and let's go home.

Max was waiting for them in the outer office. He looked nervous. Excuse

me, gentlemen, could I have a word with you? Who's talking, Sean asked

abruptly, you or Hradsky? It's a private matter, Mr Courtney. Max

dropped his voice. Can't it wait until tomorrow? Sean pushed past him

and kept going for the door. Please, Mr Courtney, it's of the utmost