CHAPTER XXXI
CHARNOCK'S TRIUMPH
Six weeks after the accident Musgrave and Charnock came into the shack one evening. The former had examined Festing in the afternoon, and Helen gave him a meaning look. It hinted that she had expected his visit and meant to encourage him.
“Come near the stove and smoke if you like. It is very cold.”
“No sign of the frost's breaking, I suppose?” said Festing, who lay propped up with pillows. “Did you get the particulars I asked for, Bob?”
Charnock gave him a paper with some calculations, and after a time he nodded.
“On the whole, this is satisfactory; things are going better than I thought. But what about the new job across the river?”
“Things are going better than he thought! Isn't that like Stephen?” Charnock remarked to the others, and then turned to Festing. “However, I expect you didn't mean to be rude and you never were very tactful. We haven't begun the job you mentioned, but I don't know that it matters since we're busy at something else, and that's not what I want to talk about. Musgrave has examined you and gives us an encouraging report.”
“My opinion is that he can be moved and the journey home won't hurt him if proper care is used.”
“But I don't want to be moved just yet,” Festing objected.