“Well,” he said, “I may make mistakes.  In fact, it was with much reluctance I promised to come, and if Bob hadn’t insisted——­” He paused and pulled himself together.  “On the surface, of course, his conduct looks inexcusable, but he really has some defense, and I think you ought to hear it, for your own sake.”

“Perhaps I ought,” she agreed quietly.  “Well, I am willing.”

Festing began by relating Charnock’s troubles.  He meant her to understand the situation and supplied rather confusing particulars about prairie farming and mortgages.  For all that, the line he took was strong; he showed how Charnock’s embarrassments prevented his offering her comforts she would find needful and saving her from the monotonous toil an impoverished farmer’s wife must undertake.  In the meantime, but unconsciously, he threw some light on Charnock’s vacillating character.

When he stopped Helen mused for a few minutes.  Although she had got a shock when Charnock gave her up, she knew her lover better than when she had promised to marry him.  He came home once in the winter and she had remarked a change.  Bob was not altogether the man she had thought; there were things that jarred, and his letters gradually made this plainer.  Still she had meant to keep her promise, and his withdrawal hurt.  She had borne something for his sake, because her mother and her relations had not approved the engagement.  Then she roused herself and turned to Festing.

“You have done your best for your friend and Bob ought to be grateful, but you both start from a wrong point.  Why do you take it for granted that I would shrink from hardship?”

“I didn’t imagine you would shrink,” Festing declared.  “For all that, Bob was right.  The life is too hard for a girl brought up like you.”  He hesitated a moment.  “I mean for a girl brought up in your surroundings.”

Helen smiled and he knew it was a sign of courage, but had a vague feeling that he understood why she did so as he looked about.  The sighing in the beech tops had died away and the shadows did not move upon the lawn.  A heavy smell of flowers came from the borders and the house seemed to be sleeping in the hot sunshine.  Everything was beautiful, well-ordered, and tranquil, but he knew if he stayed there long he would hear the cry of the black geese and the clang of flung-down rails ring through the soporific calm.  Something in the girl’s face indicated that she might find the calm oppressive and sympathize with him.

“What is Bob going to do now he has lost his farm?” she asked after a time.

“In one respect, he won’t be much worse off.  They expect a boom at the settlement, and he’ll manage the hotel and store and poolroom for Keller.  The old man will probably retire soon and Bob will get the business.”

“But why should the proprietor give the business to Bob?”

“He’s Sadie’s father,” Festing answered with some surprise.