th a
smile of content, he lazily looked about.

"This is remarkably nice," he said. "The curious thing is that I feel
as if I'd only left the house five minutes since. Everything I want is
waiting, although you didn't know I was coming."

"I knew you would come some day, and come like this, without letting me
know."

"And so you kept everything ready?" Charnock rejoined. "Well, I imagine
that's significant! But you see, I didn't know I could leave camp until
the day before I started, and then it looked as if I'd get here as soon
as the mail."

Sadie gave him a quick glance. "Then something happened that made you
leave?"

"Something did happen, but nothing bad. However, it's a long story and
I've not had much to eat."

"Supper will be ready in five minutes, and I've got something that you
like."

"Ah!" said Charnock, "I suppose that means you kept the thing I like
ready, too?"

They talked about matters of no importance until the meal was over, and
then Sadie made him sit down by the stove and light his pipe.

"Now," she said, "you can tell me all you did at the construction camp,
and leave nothing out."

Charnock was frank. He knew Sadie understood him, perhaps better than
he understood himself, and if his narrative gave her any pleasure, he
thought she deserved it. Moreover, when he wanted he talked rather well,
making his meaning clear without saying too much. When he finished she
gave him a level glance.

"You're surely a bigger man, Bob! I see that, not only by what you have
done but by what you think."

"Well," said Charnock, twinkling, "I'm glad you're satisfied, but you'll
probably find out that there's room for improvement yet."

"I suppose you must joke," Sadie rejoined with mild reproof. "But what
about Festing? Doesn't he meant to come back until the job's finished?"

"So far as I could gather, he does not. I tried tactfully to persuade
him he was acting like a fool and imagine he sees a glimmer of the
truth. All the same, he's obstinate."

Sadie was silent for a minute, knitting her brows, and then looked up.

"You have only three days; I suppose I mustn't keep you after that?"

"It mightn't be prudent. If I stay longer, I shall, no doubt, feel
unequal to going back at all. My industrious fit's very recent and good
resolutions fail."

"Pshaw!" said Sadie. "Try to be serious. I must see Helen to-morrow and
can't take you. She may have a message for her husband."

"Couldn't she write