"
"I _was_ cross," said a younger sister.
"You need not tell us that. We have not forgotten," laughed another.
"Well, I thought I could hear the sea, and I had been meaning to run
down and have a bathe directly we stopped. It was enough to make one
cross. And then that stupid old Kafir and Jan over the outspan money,
and our none of us being able to find any change. I believe Jan was glad
we couldn't pay."
"Jan resents having to pay outspan money: he will wriggle out of it if
he can," said Constance.
We had gone the first three or four miles with plenty of noise, clack of
whip and shout at team, but this gradually subsided, and with a warning
to April, the leader, to have the oxen well in the middle of the road
and to keep right on, Jan sank into such silence as was possible.
Constance rose, and began to fumble for her purse.
We heard a stealthy order to April to run, and the whip sounded again
about one ox and another, while we were tipped about in all directions
as the team suddenly put on a tremendous spurt.
In the dim light we could see the outlines of a hut close by the road,
and a Kafir sprang out of the doorway towards us shouting for his money.
Jan took no notice, but whipped and shouted and trotted along as if his
were the only voice upraised.
"Stop, Jan, stop!" called Constance.
But Jan was suddenly deaf. The other man was not, however, and he ran
along after us, followed by a string of undressed children, shouting and
gesticulating wildly.
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