Dr Rumsey was in, Mrs Rumsey said, but he was engaged. She would
give Mr Trethick's message, and she turned sharply round and shut the
door.
"Confound the woman," exclaimed Geoffrey, frowning, and he went off
towards the mine.
His way lay through the principal street, and as he was passing the
hotel it suddenly struck him that he had had a terrible night, and that
he was half-starved.
"The engine won't work without coal," he said, with a bitter laugh. "I
must have breakfast," and, going in, he ordered the meal, ate heartily,
and then, feeling refreshed and brighter, he hesitated as to what he
should do--go down to the mine or walk across to Gwennas.