Holroyd, in turn, believes himself to be "running a man" in his relationship with Charles Gould . The chapter thus shows that both sides in the partnership see themselves as manipulating the other.

Note also the metaphor here, in which an engineering tool -- a lever -- is used against men. The material interests, which supposedly are out to manipulate only inanimate earth, comprise a dream-ideal like any other, springing ultimately from the same need to "move men" and manifesting ultimately in the same result.