“No doubt,” said Musgrave dryly. “You are an obstinate fellow, but you're in our hands now, and we have to think what is best for you. To begin with, you won't be able to get about in time to be of much use, and you don't get better as fast as you ought. Then I understood you were resigned to going home before the contract is finished.”
“If I must; but I don't want to go now. I'm able to arrange things with Charnock in the evenings.”
“The fact is he doesn't trust me yet,” Charnock remarked with a grin.
“You know that isn't true, Bob!”
“Then prove you trust me by going home with Helen. She has been plucky to stay so long, and now you're fit to be moved, you oughtn't to keep her. There's another thing; to be frank, you don't help much. We need a boss to superintend, which you can't do, and when I want advice I can go to Norton. As a matter of fact, when I come here in the evenings you find fault with what I've done. When I undertake a job I like to feel I'm carrying it out.”
Festing stopped him and looked at Helen, for he was not deceived by Charnock's injured tone.
“I imagine this is something like a plot to get me away.”
“I think you would get better much faster at home, Stephen. You cannot do anything useful here, and you cannot rest. Mr. Musgrave agrees.”
“Certainly. If he stays, Festing will do himself harm and bother his partner.”
Festing knitted his brows and was silent for a moment or two. Then he said, “Since it looks as if you had made your plans, I had better go. You're a very good fellow, Bob; but if you can't keep things straight, I'll come back and superintend from a stretcher.”