Most of this story consists of complicated economic arguments segueing into some subtle manipulation of de Smet by Coffin which I will not attempt to summarize here. After all, the main theme of this blog is: read or reread Poul Anderson; not: read my summaries of Poul Anderson's narratives.
However, the conclusion is classic Anderson which has to be quoted here. Dan Coffin has just pulled off a long term deal for the development of his beloved lowlands so, of course, nature rejoices with him. First, we are told how he feels:
"...he walked again like a young buccaneer." (p. 115)
The text could have ended there on a purely people note. However, there is one final sentence:
"The wind outside had strengthened, a trumpet voice beneath heaven, and every autumn leaf was a banner flying in challenge." (ibid.)
Wind and banners...
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