Charnock grinned, although there was a touch of color in his face.

"You're not given to flattery, but might use a little tact. I've had a
knock and am not quite sober, so I can't argue the point. Then it isn't
your business if Sadie's satisfied or not."

"That's so. But what are you going to do when your creditors turn you
out?"

"Everything's arranged. I'm going to help Keller at the hotel and
store."

Festing got up. "Well, I've stopped longer than I meant. I wish you good
luck!"

"We'll have a drink," said Charnock, reaching for the bottle with an
unsteady hand. Then he paused and gave Festing a suspicious look. "It's
curious about that portrait! I used to see you gazing at it, and don't
remember that I picked it up."

"No, thanks," said Festing, refusing the glass. "I think you've had
enough. In fact, it might have been better when you were wiping the
slate clean if you had put the bottle in the stove."

He went out and walked back to the camp in the moonlight, thinking hard.
He was angry with Charnock, but vaguely sorry. Bob had some virtues and
was throwing himself away, although, when one came to think of it, this
was only true to some extent. What one meant was that he was throwing
away his opportunities of rising to a higher plane; while Bob was
satisfied with his present level Sadie was good enough for him, perhaps