Howard opened another door, and they were in the first of two contiguous chambers furnished in white and green.  “What Council was that?” began Graham.  “What were they discussing?  What have they to do with me?” Howard closed the door carefully, heaved a huge sigh, and said something in an undertone.  He walked slantingways across the room and turned, blowing out his cheeks again.  “Ugh!” he grunted, a man relieved.

Graham stood regarding him.

“You must understand,” began Howard abruptly, avoiding Graham’s eyes, “that our social order is very complex.  A half explanation, a bare unqualified statement would give you false impressions.  As a matter of fact—­it is a case of compound interest partly—­your small fortune, and the fortune of your cousin Warming which was left to you—­and certain other beginnings—­have become very considerable.  And in other ways that will be hard for you to understand, you have become a person of significance—­of very considerable significance—­involved in the world’s affairs.”

He stopped.

“Yes?” said Graham.

“We have grave social troubles.”

“Yes?”

“Things have come to such a pass that, in fact, it is advisable to seclude you here.”

“Keep me prisoner!” exclaimed Graham.

“Well—­to ask you to keep in seclusion.”

Graham turned on him.  “This is strange!” he said.

“No harm will be done you.”

“No harm!”

“But you must be kept here—­”

“While I learn my position, I presume.”

“Precisely.”

“Very well then.  Begin.  Why harm?”

“Not now.”

“Why not?”

“It is too long a story, Sire.”

“All the more reason I should begin at once.  You say I am a person of importance.  What was that shouting I heard?  Why is a great multitude shouting and excited because my trance is over, and who are the men in white in that huge council chamber?”

“All in good time, Sire,” said Howard.  “But not crudely, not crudely.  This is one of those flimsy times when no man has a settled mind.  Your awakening—­no one expected your awakening.  The Council is consulting.”

“What council?”

“The Council you saw.”

Graham made a petulant movement.  “This is not right,” he said.  “I should be told what is happening.”

“You must wait.  Really you must wait.”

Graham sat down abruptly.  “I suppose since I have waited so long to resume life,” he said, “that I must wait a little longer.”

“That is better,” said Howard.  “Yes, that is much better.  And I must leave you alone.  For a space.  While I attend the discussion in the Council....  I am sorry.”

He went towards the noiseless door, hesitated and vanished.