He could possibly have got off, but it meant leaving his something camp for a whole day, and just at present he couldn't.

Peter could get Pennell or anyone.
Another time, perhaps, but not now.

For thus can the devil trap his victims.
Peter pushed back for home on his bicycle, but stopped at the docks on his way to look up Pennell.

That gentleman was bored, weary, and inclined to be blasphemous.

It appeared that for the whole, infernal day he had had to watch the off-loading of motor-spares, that he had had no lunch, and that he could not get away for a day next week if he tried.