"Couldn't you go down there to-day, and see the agents or managers or whoever they are?"
"There is nothing definite yet; we only know that there is a good deal of discontent."
"Surely, then, you can leave it with your manager to deal with, when it occurs. It is absurd waiting in England for a handful of miners to tell you what they want."
"It would be better, I think, if I waited," he said.
"I wish you would explain to me exactly why."
"Simply because, as owner," he said, "they would wish to consult me if anything went really wrong."
"Surely there is a telegraph to Algiers. I should infinitely prefer starting in less than a week. I really cannot stand this sort of weather."
"I feel sure I am right to stop," he said. "It is certainly best."
Eva hesitated a moment.