Eager nodded. "Best leave it so at present. How soon will Jim be back? I'd like to have a word with him too."
"I don't know. He's a good deal worked up."
"I'll go along and meet him."
"I'll come too?"
"No. Better let me see him by himself. You can talk it over together afterwards. I hope this won't make any difference between you two, Jack."
"One of us has got to put up with disappointment some time," said Jack steadily. "But we'll just have to stand it."
Eager tramped away along the rim of the tidal sand, well pleased with Jack's reasonable acceptance of the situation. Jim, he felt sure, would be no less sensible, and matters would run on smoothly; and so Time, the great Solver of Problems, would be given the opportunity of working out this one also.
Deeply pondering the whole matter, and letting his thoughts wander back along the years, he tramped on almost forgetful of the actual reason for his coming. It was not till a gleam of light amid the sand-hills on his left told him he had got to Seth Rimmer's cottage, that he knew how far he had come. Jim might have called there, so he rapped on the door and went in.
"Ech, Mr. Eager! It's good o' you to come and see an owd woman like this," said Mrs. Rimmer from the bed.
"It's always a pleasure to see you, Mrs. Rimmer. You're one of the ones that it does one good to see."