“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. Musgrave agrees.”

“Certainly.  If he stays, Festing will do himself harm and bother his partner.”

Festing knitted his brows and was silent for a moment or two.  Then he said, “Since it looks as if you had made your plans, I had better go.  You’re a very good fellow, Bob; but if you can’t keep things straight, I’ll come back and superintend from a stretcher.”

They talked about other matters, but when Charnock left, Helen put on her furs and told Festing she wanted fresh air.  Moonlight shone upon the dark pines and sparkled on the snow, and when they came out of the shadow of the trees she thought Charnock’s face was grave.

“I’m grateful, Bob,” she said.  “It’s a big thing you have undertaken!”

“I frankly wish it was smaller,” Charnock answered.  “I fact, I feel I have been horribly rash.  I haven’t Stephen’s constructive talent or, for that matter, his energy, but somehow I mustn’t be beaten.”

Helen gave him a gentle look.  “You won’t be beaten.  It’s unthinkable!  We trust you.”

Then she went back and read a newspaper to Festing, who was carried down to the supply train next day and made comfortable in the caboose.  Charnock talked to him carelessly until the couplings tightened and the locomotive began to snort, but his mouth was firm and his face set as he went back to his work.  He knew what he was up against, and there were difficulties he had not told Festing about.

The days got longer, and the frost was relaxing its grip on the white prairie, when Festing left his homestead and walked to the trail-fork to meet the mail-carrier.  He returned with some letters and sat down limply.  His face was thin and pale.