Pippin and Gandalf have left after Pippin's first encounter
with Denethor, Steward of Gondor. Pippin has not only offered but sworn
allegiance to Denethor. Gandalf is speaking.
"He [Denethor] is not as other men of this time,
Pippin, and whatever be his descent from father to son, by some chance
the blood of Westernesse runs nearly true in him; as it does in his
other son, Faramir, and yet did not in Boromir whom he loved best. He
has long sight. He can perceive, if he bends his will thither, much
of what is passing in the minds of men, even of those who dwell far
off. It is difficult to deceive him, and dangerous to try.
"Remember that! For you are now sworn to his service. I do not
know what put it into your head, or your heart, to do that. But it was
well done. I did not hinder it, for generous heart should not be checked
by cold counsel."