into the shack
one evening. The former had examined Festing in the afternoon, and Helen
gave him a meaning look. It hinted that she had expected his visit and
meant to encourage him.

"Come near the stove and smoke if you like. It is very cold."

"No sign of the frost's breaking, I suppose?" said Festing, who lay
propped up with pillows. "Did you get the particulars I asked for, Bob?"

Charnock gave him a paper with some calculations, and after a time he
nodded.

"On the whole, this is satisfactory; things are going better than I
thought. But what about the new job across the river?"

"Things are going better than he thought! Isn't that like Stephen?"
Charnock remarked to the others, and then turned to Festing. "However,
I expect you didn't mean to be rude and you never were very tactful. We
haven't begun the job you mentioned, but I don't know that it matters
since we're busy at something else, and that's not what I want to talk
about. Musgrave has examined you and gives us an encouraging report."

"My opinion is that he can be moved and the journey home won't hurt him
if proper care is used."

"But I don't want to be moved just yet," Festing objected.

"No doubt," said Musgrave dryly. "You are an obstinate fellow, but
you're in our hands now, and we have to think what is best for you. To
begin with, you won't be able to get about in time to be of much use,
and you don't get better as fast as you ought. Then I understood you
were resigned to going home before the contract is finished."

"If I must; but I don't want to go now. I'm able to arrange things with
Charnock in the evenings."

"The fact is he doesn't trust me yet," Charnock remarked with a grin.

"You know that isn't true, Bob!"

"Then prove you trust me by going home with Helen. She has been plucky
to stay so long, and now you're fit to be moved, you oughtn't to keep
her. There's another thing; to be frank, you don't help much. We need a
boss to superintend, which you can't do, and when I want advice I can
go to Norton. As a matter of fact, when I come here in the evenings you
find fault with what I've done. When I undertake a job I like to feel
I'm carrying it out."

Festing stopped him and looked at Helen, for he was not deceived by
Charnock's injured tone.

"I imagine this is something like a plot to get me away."

"I think you would get better much faster at home, Stephen. You cannot
do anything useful here, and you cannot rest. Mr. Musgr