For the next few days more immediate matters kept him completely occupied.  Gorham told him enough of what had happened at the meeting to make him feel at once elated and concerned.

“You were right to a degree, my boy, and I give you credit for it; but don’t think for a moment that there is going to be any change in the administration of the Consolidated Companies.”

“You’ll have a hard fight on your hands, Mr. Gorham.  They aren’t the kind of men to let you force them any longer than they have to.”

“That will be as long as we remain associated in the corporation,” Gorham said, with conviction.  “It does mean a greater burden for me and for Covington and for you, as for all those who remain loyal, but the game is worth the struggle.  This is what makes life worth living, boy.  Struggles are nothing—­I’ve had them always; it’s only the lost faith which slips in under one’s guard and stings.”

Allen longed to ask just where Covington claimed to stand, but he dreaded further imputations as to the motives underlying his question.  Then, later, it occurred to him that he might take advantage of the new relations created by Covington himself.  Watching his opportunity, he opened up the subject with a proper air of mystery.

“I wish you would advise me, Mr. Covington.”

The words may have caused surprise, but Covington turned to the boy as though his remark were perfectly natural.

“I shall be glad to if I can,” he said.

“You see, I don’t quite know where I stand just now.  There’s evidently going to be a struggle between the chief and the committee, and I’d like to be put in right.  How do you think it’s going to turn out?”

Covington did not doubt the sincerity which Allen’s words and tone apparently expressed.

“There is only one possible outcome,” he replied, frankly.  “Mr. Gorham will have to compromise or they will find a way to take his power away from him.”

“But you don’t think he will, do you?”

“He’s bound to.  No man except a fool is going to let his ideals rob him of his power, and Robert Gorham is no fool.”

“No, but those ideals are pretty well developed.”

“Of course they are, and he will hold to them as long as he can; but when Litchfield and the others begin to take real action, as they will soon, he will see things differently.”

“Then you advise me to stick to him?”

Covington looked at him critically.  “If I were you,” he said, carefully, “I would stick to the Companies.  I am with him, of course, but the clerks have no special obligation to any one.  You have been closer to him than the others, but I don’t suppose that is any reason why you shouldn’t look out for yourself if a break comes.  But personally, I’m not expecting any break.”

“I never saw any one cotton so to anything as Mr. Gorham does to those ideals of his,” Allen continued.  “I believe he talks them all day and dreams them all night.  It would break his heart to be obliged to take back water.”