“Yes. I left Jake at the mole, putting provisions on board.”
“It looks as if you would be away some time,” Clare remarked carelessly.
Dick thought she was not interested and felt relieved. It had been announced at the irrigation camp that he was going to Coronal to engage workmen, in order that the report might reach Kenwardine. He had now an opportunity of sending the latter misleading news, but he could not make use of Clare in this way.
“I expect so, but can’t tell yet when we will be back,” he said.
“Well,” said Clare, “I shall feel that I am left alone. My father is going to Kingston and doesn’t know when he will return. Then you and Mr. Fuller——”
She stopped with a touch of embarrassment, wondering whether she had said too much, but Dick looked at her gravely.
“Then you will miss us?”
“Yes,” she admitted with a blush. “I suppose I shall, in a sense. After all, I really know nobody in Santa Brigida; that is, nobody I like. Of course, we haven’t seen either of you often, but then——”
“You liked to feel we were within call if we were wanted? Well, I wish I could put off our trip, but I’m afraid it’s impossible now.”
“That would be absurd,” Clare answered, smiling, and they went on in silence for the next few minutes.