“I thought I’d better wait until after supper,” he said.  “My coming now leaves you more at liberty to turn me out.”

“To begin with, I’d like to know why you came at all?”

“Sadie thought it was time I did something useful, and I agreed.  It’s obvious that if anything useful can be done, I’m the proper person to undertake the job.  Now you understand me, shall I go on?”

Festing nodded.  Charnock’s careless good humor had vanished; he looked embarrassed but resolute, as if he meant to carry out a disagreeable task.  This was something new for Bob.

“Very well,” the latter resumed.  “In order to clear the ground, do you imagine I’m in love with your wife?”

“I’m sure Helen is not in love with you,” Festing rejoined.

“That’s much, but we have got to talk about the other side of the matter,” said Charnock quietly.  “I went to your home with Sadie because I thought she and Helen could learn something from each other; while I suspect she thought your society was good for me.  It’s obvious that Helen agreed, and Sadie and I will always be grateful for her staunchness in sticking to us, although you disliked it.  Whether I’m worth the quarrel or not is another thing.  I hope you understand me as far as I’ve gone.”

Festing made a sign and Charnock continued:  “Very well.  There was a time when I loved Helen, or honestly thought I did, but I imagine we had both found out our mistake when I gave her up.  It’s certain that she would not have been satisfied with me.  Our romance came to nothing and was done with long since; there’s now no woman who could rouse the feeling I have for my wife.”

He got up and leaned upon his chair, with his eyes fixed on Festing.  “When I told you I was going to be married, you showed your confounded supercilious pity!  You thought I was making a fatal mistake.  Well, you’re not a clever fellow, Stephen, but that was the worst blunder you ever made.  Marrying Sadie is perhaps the only wise thing I have done.  She has borne with my follies, hustled me when I needed it, and helped me to fight my weaknesses; and if there’s any hope of my being a useful man, I owe it to her.  Now it’s obvious that I can’t draw comparisons, but I think you see where this leads.”

“I do see,” said Festing, who felt somewhat moved.  He had not heard Charnock talk like this before, and the note in his voice was significant.  He smiled, to ease the strain, as he replied:  “Comparisons would be particularly awkward just now, Bob.  Besides, they’re unnecessary, I’m convinced!”

“Then there’s no reason you shouldn’t go home, and I’ve come to take you back.”

Festing shook his head.  “There are two reasons.  In the first place, I’ve taken a contract.”

“That fellow, Dalton, would probably let you off.”

“It’s uncertain, and I don’t mean to ask.  You don’t seem to know that Dalton is Helen’s brother.”

Charnock laughed.  “Then I’ve no doubt he knows who I am; his manner ought to have given me a hint.  The situation has a touch of ironical humor, and perhaps the strangest thing is that we should now be better friends than we have been yet.  But what still prevents your going back?”