"Oh, I went through with it—after a fashion," said Joe, making himself understood. "It's all right, Ben. I didn't do as well as you, of course, and I couldn't stay under as long. But I did the best I could."
"We're mighty sorry this happened to you, but if you take a rest you'll be all right again."
"That's just it," Benny wrote on the pad. "I can't afford to take a rest. I must get back as soon as I can to help support my mother."
Joe did not know what to say. But he shook his head, and, after a moment's thought, remarked.
"Well, you can't work to-night, Ben, so I'll go into the tank again for you. After that we'll see what's to be done. Now don't you worry, everything will be all right."
"We all miss you," said Helen, as she shook hands with the youth. "Get well as soon as you can and come back to us."
Benny nodded, and tears came into his eyes, so that he turned away his head.
"I don't like to drive you away," the nurse put in smiling, "but I think he has seen you long enough for the present."
"May I come back later?" asked Joe.
"Perhaps—if the doctor says so. But we'll take good care of him."