"The order is in the mail-bag and will go out on the first train," he
said. "It's lucky we got it, because we have cut things very fine. I
had a note some days since from the fellow who sends us our stores,
insisting on our settling his bill."

"Then why didn't you tell me?" Festing asked.

Charnock laughed. "I imagined you had enough to bother you, and his
account is big. We couldn't have paid him without going broke, and
wages have first claim. There was a way out, but you had given me strict
orders not to write to Sadie."

"I couldn't have allowed that, but you're a good sort, Bob!"

"Well," said Charnock cheerfully, "it was, so to speak, touch and go;
but we have turned the awkward corner, and I think are going to make
good."

CHAPTER XXVI

A NEW UNDERTAKING

Soon after the rails were laid down the frost returned, and one cold
morning Festing sat in his shack, studying a letter from Helen. Norton's
cheque had helped him to overcome the worst of his difficulties, things
were going better, and Charnock would superintend the workmen until he
was ready to go out. Festing felt that he need not hurry, and wanted to
think.

Helen had written to him before, without any hint of resentment, and
he had told her what he was doing. She knew Bob was his partner, and
no doubt understood what this implied. It was obvious that he had been
wrong in disliking Bob and half suspecting him; besides Helen knew from
the beginning that he had not suspected her, although he had insisted
that she had been imprudent. This ground for difference had vanished,
but he wondered what she thought, and could not gather much from her
letter.

She wrote with apparent good-humor and stated that all was going
satisfactorily at the farm, where, indeed, nothing of importance could
be done until spring. For all that, there was some reserve. A personal
explanation was needed before they could get back to their old
relations of intimate confidence, and he was ready to own his mistakes.
Unfortunately, the explanation must be put off, because there was one
point on which he was still determined, although his resolve no longer
altogether sprang from pride. He must, if possible, repair his damaged
fortunes before he went home. Farming on a proper scale was expensive
work, and Helen's capital was not large. In order to raise a big crop,
one must speculate boldly, and he meant to do so with his own money.

He saw a danger in staying away too long,