Austin said he was shaky, but he expected soon to be better and he must try to get about. Kit agreed. If it were but for an hour or two, Bob ought to superintend.
“Jock will send us breakfast in a few minutes,” he said. “When you have got some food you might take a walk along the girder. Put on your big coat and skin-cap. The cold is fierce.”
“Your plan’s rather obvious, Kit. However, I expect I must play up; people indulge you. I don’t know another man who could persuade a camp cook to serve breakfast when it was not the proper time.”
“Well, you see, I was Jock’s piper. Besides, you’re not forced to advertise that you’re not very fit. When you were wanted, you were on the spot.”
“I doubt if I helped much,” said Austin in a thoughtful voice. “When the boys let go the tackle, you jumped across and helped me down—did you not? Perhaps it’s strange, but I don’t remember all we did.”
“It isn’t strange,” said Kit. “The wind was savage and the snow was thick. We were highly strung and I suppose we worked mechanically. All we knew was, we must get the truss across. Well, before you went the truss was in place.”
“When did I go?”
“Now I’m beaten! When I stopped I felt as if I’d fought the gale for a week. Anyhow, it was some time in the morning and the worst strain was over. I expect you saw we didn’t need you and you went slack.”
“You are a good pal,” Austin remarked in a meaning voice. “Well, I wonder——”
Kit frowned. He thought he had cheated the workmen, but unless he cheated Austin he had not gained much. Bob would not allow himself to be rewarded for another’s efforts. Moreover, he was not a fool and Kit was tired.