Quill Kipps (book 4)

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... I told ya!!!! I said he was all brave, honourable and good-hearted! Unlikely as it seemed back then.))

Now I'd like to point out something. You might have thought that Kipps quit Fittes because he (like he said) suddenly realised how utterly useless he was in a team. But, wait, he'd learned to live with this feeling years ago, like any supervisor would! I bet it was something different.

You see, he hadn't acted like all other supervisors did, he would often help his team (the Aickmere case!), he was never detached. Not being reckless like Lockwood, he always relied on a safe plan and a timely retreat (thus he might seem a bit cowardly at times), but he never believed in just sending out his agents to fight and die. He found it morally wrong and unacceptable for himself.

That said, Fittes had certain policies. Certain rules everyone had to obey. That including the "supervisor must merely watch" rule. And it isn't that hard to obey the rules that help you stay alive, even if you think the rules are wrong, is it? By stretching the rules Kipps led himself to believe that he was different, that he wasn't someone who would just stand and watch his team die.

Until during the Eeling case he actually realised that he'd been fooling himself. He had always thought that if it weren't for the rules, he'd do everything to save his team. But when he was given the freedom to choose, when Lockwood dashed into the arms of a ghost - Kipps suddenly realised he couldn't bring himself to go and help. THAT was the reason.

Staying at Fittes meant remembering that very moment EVERY TIME he sent his team on a mission, knowing that he was actually ok with the rules and wasn't any different at all!

But also, his brilliant career at Fittes meant safety and prosperity. While quitting meant having to face the unwelcoming world no agent is really prepared for. Look at them, by the time they grow up they have no education, no friends (most dead), and no idea how to make a living outside the ghost-hunting profession.

Now think how courageous he must have been to follow his moral compass in these circumstances!