"I don't know that it looks quite as bad as you think. It's a common thing for a farmer who has lost his crop to go off and work on a new railroad, particularly if he has teams the construction boss can use. Anyhow, I guess the thing will come right, and I'll help if I can. But I want to see my way before I move."
Helen did not answer, and soon afterwards Sadie left the homestead. She said nothing to Charnock about her visit, but started for the settlement next morning and informed herself about what had happened at the poolroom and what people thought. Then she drove home, and getting back at dusk, sat down opposite Charnock, who lounged in a basket chair with a pipe in his mouth. Her eyes twinkled with rather grim humor.
"You don't look as if anything bothered you," she said.
"It's possible," Charnock agreed. "I suppose I'm lucky because I have nothing much to bother about."
"You wouldn't bother about it, anyhow. You leave that kind of thing to me."
Charnock gave her a quick glance. She was not angry, which was something of a relief, because Sadie was difficult when she let herself go. Besides, he was not conscious of having done anything to vex her since he gave Wilkinson the cheque. But she looked resolute.
"I've a good excuse," he answered. "I've got a remarkably capable wife."
"We'll cut out the compliments. I don't think you have seen any of the boys from the settlement since Festing left."
Charnock said he had not done so, and she gave him a thoughtful look.
"I suppose you can't remember when you last did something useful; something that would help somebody else?"
"It's a painful confession, but I can't remember. Still I've some experience of being helped along a way I didn't want to go, which leads me to believe it's often kinder to leave folks alone."
"I'm afraid that's true. I don't know that I meant to do much harm, but it's generally easier than doing good. For example, I've given you some trouble; but at the moment I can't think of a new offense."
"You can quit joking and put down that newspaper. It looks as if you didn't know why Festing left?"
Charnock said he could not guess, and got up abruptly when Sadie told him. He kicked the newspaper out of his way and crossed the floor with angry strides. His face was red when he stopped in front of his wife.