Uncle Sid stopped abruptly and thrust the hand aside, giving Winston an initial push.
"Now you go along where you're wanted. These folks are just burstin' full o' worship. It will do 'em good to let it out at a tin god, if they don't know any better. It's good for folks to worship somethin' besides themselves."
Through the long day that followed—it seemed long to Winston—Helen skilfully avoided him. Without seeming effort, she managed to be surrounded with others, giving Winston no word alone. Outwardly, she was her old buoyant self. Only to the keen eyes of Winston was her manner forced.
Towards night, Winston saw Helen and Uncle Sid standing together on one of the abutments of the dam. Without undue haste he joined them.
"Well, Helen, are you satisfied with the handiwork of your servant?"
"If you are my servant, why do you come into my presence without being bidden?"
"I asked my question first, and you haven't answered it."
"It strikes me that you are either presumptuous or hypocritical. Don't you think so, Uncle Sid?" She flashed her eyes toward Uncle Sid. There was a shade of annoyance in the look that she turned to Winston. "I believe you and Uncle Sid are fellow conspirators."
"Then I am not mistaken. You have avoided me today?"
"Suppose I have," she replied evasively.