That's why I'm not very sypathetic towards Denethor...he's always giving poor Faramir the shaft.
Another thing that overwhelms me in this chapter is the maturity of Pippin. It's a far cry from the young hobbit sitting in the tub singing a bathing song. It is Pippin that saves the life of Faramir. There is this young hobbit, giving commands to Beregond and seeking out Gandalf.
What a good man the fires or trial reveals in Pippin.