He was not going to take offence at Birkin.
'Don't you think the collier's PIANOFORTE, as you call it, is a symbol for something very real, a real desire for something higher, in the collier's life ?' 'Higher!' cried Birkin.

'Yes.

Amazing heights of upright grandeur.

It makes him so much higher in his neighbouring collier's eyes.

He sees himself reflected in the neighbouring opinion, like in a Brocken mist, several feet taller on the strength of the pianoforte, and he is satisfied.