"
"And what sort of a mate--husband, I mean--have you got?"
"Oh, he is a perfect gentleman, and so attentive to me. Latterly he
has been a little crusty, I must admit; but you must not say a word
against him. If you do, I'll peck your eyes out. A family, you
know, is so troublesome, and it takes all your time to feed them.
There are two of them, the duckiest little fluffy darlings you ever
saw. They were very hungry this morning, so when I saw you digging I
knew you wouldn't begrudge them a breakfast, and I just flew down
here for it. But bless my soul, the little darlings will be
screaming their hearts out with hunger while I am talking to you, and
himself will be swearing like a Derviner. So, by-by."
Philip found Maggie's mansion easily enough; for, in spite of all her
chatter, she had no depth of mind. The tallest gum-tree was on
Barlow's farm which adjoined the forty-acre on the east. Barlow had
been a stockman for several years on Calvert's run, and had saved
money. He invested his money in the Bank of Love, and the bank
broke. It happened in this way.
A new shepherd from the other side was living with his wife and
daughter near the Rises, and one day when Barlow was riding over the
run, he heard some strange sounds, and stopped his horse to listen.
There was nobody in sight in any direction, and Barlow said,
"There's something the matter at the new shepherd's hut," and he rode
swiftly towards it.
Pages:
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244