gravel fell in the wrong place. Somehow he could not get the stuff
to go where it ought.

For all that, he felt no serious inconvenience until about eleven
o'clock, when a stinging pain spread across the front of his body. For
a few moments he leaned on his shovel and gasped, but the pang moderated
and he roused himself when the foreman looked his way. He must try to
hold out for another hour, and he savagely attacked his pile of stones.
When the echoes of the whistle filled the hollow he had some trouble in
reaching the bunk-house, but felt better after dinner and a smoke, which
he enjoyed sitting on a box by the stove; but the time for rest was
short. The foreman drove him out, and feeling very sore and stiff, he
resumed work.

About four o'clock another pang shot through him and he dropped his
shovel and sat down on a heap of ties, hoping to get a few minutes'
rest before the gravel train came up. The pain was troublesome, but not
dangerous. It might only bother him for a day or two, but it might last
a week. Rest was the best cure, but sick men were not wanted at the
camp. One must work or go, and when a cascade of gravel poured off the
cars as the plow moved along he pulled himself together.

It began to rain soon afterwards and he had left his slickers at the
bunk-house, but he stuck to his work, while the sweat the effort caused
him ran down his face, until the whistle blew. Then he went limply up
the hill to Festing's shack.

"I thought I'd have supper with you, if you don't mind," he said. "Felt
I couldn't stand for joining the boys. They've annoyed me all day and
eat like hogs."

Festing gave him a sharp glance. Bob did not often lose his temper, but
he looked morose.

"Of course I don't mind. Sit down."

Charnock did so, and when Festing had filled his plate resumed: "This
food is decently cooked, and I like my supper served and not thrown at
me. Still, in view of what we're charged for board, it's annoying to
think the contractor will be richer for a meal I haven't got."

"It's a new thing to find you parsimonious. I hope you'll keep it up."

Charnock's gloomy face softened. "I mean to. I'm thinking of Sadie's
feelings when I come home with a wad of five-dollar bills. She won't be
surprised; she'll get a shock."

He talked with better humor during the meal, but was silent afterwards
and sat with half-closed eyes, stretching out his feet towards the
crackling logs. Although the pain had nearly go