Shecried，andwonderedwhatshe’ddone，andtrembledsothatshecouldscarcelyunharnessthehorse，andwonderedifAndyhadgotatouchofthesun，andwentinandsatdownandcriedagain;
andpridecametoheraidandshehatedAndy;thoughtofherbigbrother，awaydroving，andmadeacupoftea。Sheshedtearsoverthetea，andwentthroughitallagain。
MeanwhileAndywassufferingareaction。Hestartedtofilltheholebeforeheputthepostin;thentoramthepostbeforetherailswereinposition。Dubbingofftheendsoftherails，hewasindangerofamputatingatoeorafootwitheverystrokeoftheadze。
And，atlast，tryingtosquintalongthelittlelumpsofclaywhichhehadplacedinthecentreofthetopofeachpostforseveralpanelsback——toassisthimtotakealine——
hefoundthattheyswamanddoubled，andranoffinwateryangles，forhiseyesweretoomoisttoseestraightandsingle。
Thenhethrewdownthetoolshopelessly，andwasstandinghelplesslyundecidedwhethertogohomeorgodowntothecreekanddrownhimself，whenDaveturnedupagain。
\"Seenher？\"askedDave。
\"Yes，\"saidAndy。
\"Didyouchuckher？\"
\"Lookhere，Dave;areyousurethefellerwasMickKelly？\"
\"IneversaidIwas。HowwasItoknow？Itwasdark。Youdon’texpectI’d`fox’afellerIseedoingabitofabear-uptoagirl，doyou？
Itmighthavebeenyou，forallIknowed。Isupposeshe’sbeentalkingyouround？\"
\"No，sheain’t，\"saidAndy。\"But，lookhere，Dave;Iwasproperlygoneonthatgirl，Iwas，and——andIwanttobesureI’mright。\"
ThebusinesswasgettingaltogethertoopsychologicalforDaveBentley。
\"Youmightaswell，\"herappedout，\"callmealiaratonce！\"
\"’Taintthatatall，Dave。Iwanttogetatwhothefelleris;
that’swhatIwanttogetatnow。Wheredidyouseethem，andwhen？\"
\"IseenthemAnniversarynight，alongtheroad，nearRoss’farm;
andIseen’emSundaynightaforethat——inthetreesneartheoldculvert——
nearPorter’ssliprails;andIseen’emonenightoutsidePorter’s，onalognearthewoodheap。Theywasthickthattime，andbearin’upproper，andnomistake。SoIcansweartoher。Now，areyousatisfiedabouther？\"
ButAndywaswildlypitchforkinghisthatchunderhishatwithalltenfingersandstaringatDave，whobegantoregardhimuneasily;
thentherecametoAndy’seyesanawfulglare，whichcausedDavetostepbackhastily。
\"GoodGod，Andy！Areyergoin’ratty？\"
\"No！\"criedAndy，wildly。
\"Thenwhattheblazesisthematterwithyou？You’llhaveratsifyoudon’tlookout！\"
\"JIMMINYFROTH！——ItwasMEallthetime！\"
\"What？\"
\"Itwasmethatwaswithherallthemnights。Itwasmethatyouseen。
WHY，IPOPPEDONTHEWOODHEAP！\"
Davewastakentoosuddenlytowhistlethistime。
\"Andyouwentforherjustnow？\"
\"Yes！\"yelledAndy。
\"Well——you’vedoneit！\"
\"Yes，\"saidAndy，hopelessly;\"I’vedoneit！\"
Davewhistlednow——averylong，lowwhistle。\"Well，you’reabloomin’goat，Andy，afterthis。Butthisthing’llhavetobefixedup！\"
andhecanteredaway。PoorAndywastoobadlyknockedtonoticetheabruptnessofDave’sdeparture，ortoseethatheturnedthroughthesliprailsontothetrackthatledtoPorter’s……
HalfanhourlaterAndyappearedatPorter’sbackdoor，withanexpressiononhisfaceasthoughthefuneralwastostartintenminutes。
Inatonebefittingsuchanoccasion，hewantedtoseeLizzie。
Davehadbeentherewiththelaudabledeterminationoffixingthebusinessup，andhad，ofcourse，succeededinmakingitmuchworsethanitwasbefore。
ButAndymadeitallright。
TheIron-BarkChipDaveReganandparty——bush-fencers，tank-sinkers，roughcarpenters，&c。——
werefinishingthethirdandlastculvertoftheircontractonthelastsectionofthenewrailwayline，andhadalreadysentintheirvouchersforthecompletedcontract，sothattheremightbenoexcuseforextradelayinconnectionwiththecheque。
Nowithadbeenexpresslystipulatedintheplansandspecificationsthatthetimberforcertainbeamsandgirderswastobeiron-barkandnoother，andGovernmentinspectorswereauthorisedtoordertheremovalfromthegroundofanytimberormaterialtheymightdeeminferior，ornotinaccordancewiththestipulations。Therailwaycontractor’sforemanandinspectorofsub-contractorswasapracticalmanandabushman，buthehadbeenatimber-getterhimself;hissympathieswerebushy，andhewasonwinkingtermswithDaveRegan。Besides，extendedtimewasexpiring，andthecontractorswereinahurrytocompletetheline。
ButtheGovernmentinspectorwasareservedmanwhopokedroundonhisindependentownandappearedinlonelyspotsatunexpectedtimes——withapparentlynodefiniteobjectinlife——likeagreykangaroobotheredbyanewwirefence，butunsuspiciousofthepresenceofhumans。
Heworeagreysuit，rode，ormostlyled，anashen-greyhorse;
thegrasswaslongandgrey，sohewasseldomspotteduntilhewaswellwithinthehorizonandbearingleisurelydownonapartyofsub-contractors，leadinghishorse。
Nowiron-barkwasscarceanddistantonthoseridges，andanothertimber，similarinappearance，butmuchinferioringrainand\"standing\"quality，wasplentifulandcloseathand。Daveandpartywere\"aboutfullof\"
thejobandplace，andwantedtogettheirchequeandbegonetoanother\"spec\"theyhadinview。Sotheycametoreckonthey’dgetthelastgirderfromahandytree，andhaveitsquared，inplace，andcarefullyandconscientiouslytarredbeforetheinspectorhappenedalong，ifhedid。Buttheydidn’t。Theygotitsquared，andreadytobeliftedintoitsplace;thekindlydarknessoftarwasreadytocoverafraudthattookfourstrongmenwithcrowbarsandleverstoshift;andnow（suchistheregularcussednessofthings）asthefraudulentpieceoftimberlayitslasthourontheground，lookingandsmelling，totheirguiltyimaginationslikeanythingbutiron-bark，theywereawareoftheGovernmentinspectordriftingdownuponthemobliquely，withsomethingoftheatmosphereofacasualBillorJimwhohaddroppedoutofhiseasy-goingtracktoseehowtheyweregettingon，andborrowamatch。Theyhadmorethanhalfhopedthat，ashehadvisitedthemprettyfrequentlyduringtheprogressofthework，andknewhownearitwastocompletion，hewouldn’tbothercominganymore。
Butit’sthewaywiththeGovernment。Youmightmoveheavenandearthinvainendeavourtogetthe\"Guvermunt\"toflutteraneyelashoversomethingofthemostmomentousimportancetoyourselfandmatesandthedistrict——
eventothecountry;butjustwhenyouareleavingauthorityseverelyalone，andhavestrongreasonsfornotwantingtoworryorinterruptit，andnotdesiringittoworryaboutyou，itwilltakeafancyintoitsheadtocomealongandbother。
\"It’salwaystheway！\"mutteredDavetohismates。\"Iknewthebeggarwouldturnup！……Andtheonlycronklogwe’vehad，too！\"headded，inaninjuredtone。\"Ifthishad’a’beentheonlyblessediron-barkinthewholecontract，itwouldhavebeenallright……
Good-day，sir！\"（totheinspector）。\"It’shot？\"
Theinspectornodded。Hewasnotofanimpulsivenature。
Hegotdownfromhishorseandlookedatthegirderinanabstractedway;
andpresentlytherecameintohiseyesadreamy，far-away，sadsortofexpression，asiftherehadbeenaverysadandpainfuloccurrenceinhisfamily，waybackinthepast，andthatpieceoftimberinsomewayremindedhimofitandbroughttheoldsorrowhometohim。
Heblinkedthreetimes，andasked，inasubduedtone：
\"Isthatiron-bark？\"
JackBentley，thefluentliaroftheparty，caughthisbreathwithajerkandcoughed，tocoverthegaspandgaintime。\"I——iron-bark？
Ofcourseitis！Ithoughtyouwouldknowiron-bark，mister。\"
（Misterwassilent。）\"Whatelsed’yerthinkitis？\"
Thedreamy，abstractedexpressionwasback。Theinspector，by-the-way，didn’tknowmuchabouttimber，buthehadagreatdealofinstinct，andwentbyitwhenindoubt。
\"L——lookhere，mister！\"putinDaveRegan，inatoneofinnocentpuzzlementandwithablankbucolicface。\"B——butdon’ttheplansandspecificationssayiron-bark？Oursdoes，anyway。I——I’llgitthepapersfromthetentandshowyer，ifyerlike。\"
Itwasnotnecessary。Theinspectoradmittedthefactslowly。Hestooped，andwithanabsentairpickedupachip。Helookedatitabstractedlyforamoment，blinkedhisthreefoldblink;then，seemingtorecollectanappointment，hewokeupsuddenlyandaskedbriskly：
\"Didthischipcomeoffthatgirder？\"
Blanksilence。Theinspectorblinkedsixtimes，dividedinthrees，rapidly，mountedhishorse，said\"Day，\"androdeoff。
Reganandpartystaredateachother。
\"Wha——whatdidhedothatfor？\"askedAndyPage，thethirdintheparty。
\"Dowhatfor，youfool？\"enquiredDave。
\"Ta——takethatchipfor？\"
\"He’stakingittotheoffice！\"snarledJackBentley。
\"What——whatfor？Whatdoeshewanttodothatfor？\"
\"Togetitblankywellanalysed！Youass！Nowareyersatisfied？\"
AndJacksatdownhardonthetimber，jerkedouthispipe，andsaidtoDave，inasharp，toothachetone：
\"Gimmiamatch！\"
\"We——well！whatarewetodonow？\"enquiredAndy，whowasthehardestgrafter，butaltogetherhelpless，hopeless，anduselessinacrisislikethis。
\"Grainandvarnishthebloomin’culvert！\"snappedBentley。
ButDave’seyes，thathadbeenruefullyfollowingtheinspector，suddenlydilated。Theinspectorhadriddenashortdistancealongtheline，dismounted，thrownthebridleoverapost，laidthechip（whichwastoobigtogoinhispocket）ontopofit，gotthroughthefence，andwasnowwalkingbackatanangleacrossthelineinthedirectionofthefencingparty，whohadworkedupontheotherside，alittlemorethanoppositetheculvert。
Davetookinthelayofthecountryataglanceandthoughtrapidly。
\"Gimmeaniron-barkchip！\"hesaidsuddenly。
Bentley，whowasquick-wittedwhenthetrackwasshownhim，asisakangaroodog（Jackranbysight，notscent），glancedinthelineofDave’seyes，jumpedup，andgotachipaboutthesamesizeasthatwhichtheinspectorhadtaken。
Nowthe\"layofthecountry\"slopedgenerallytothelinefrombothsides，andtheanglebetweentheinspector’shorse，thefencingparty，andtheculvertwaswellwithinaclearconcavespace;
butacoupleofhundredyardsbackfromthelineandparalleltoit（onthesideonwhichDave’spartyworkedtheirtimber）
afringeofscrubrantowithinafewyardsofapointwhichwouldbeaboutinlinewithasingletreeontheclearedslope，thehorse，andthefencingparty。
Davetooktheiron-barkchip，ranalongthebedofthewater-courseintothescrub，racedupthesidingbehindthebushes，gotsafely，thoughwithoutbreathing，acrosstheexposedspace，andbroughtthetreeintolinebetweenhimandtheinspector，whowastalkingtothefencers。
Thenhebegantoworkquicklydowntheslopetowardsthetree（whichwasathinone），keepingitinline，hisarmsclosetohissides，andworking，asitwere，downthetrunkofthetree，asifthefencingpartywerekangaroosandDavewastryingtogetashotatthem。
Theinspector，by-the-bye，hadahabitofglancingnowandtheninthedirectionofhishorse，asthoughundertheimpressionthatitwasflightyandrestlessandinclinedtoboltonopportunity。
Itwasananxiousmomentforallpartiesconcerned——excepttheinspector。
Theydidn’twantHIMtobeperturbed。And，justasDavereachedthefootofthetree，theinspectorfinishedwhathehadtosaytothefencers，turned，andstartedtowalkbrisklybacktohishorse。
Therewasathunderstormcoming。Nowwasthecriticalmoment——
therewerecertainprearrangedsignalsbetweenDave’spartyandthefencerswhichmighthaveinterestedtheinspector，butnonetomeetacaselikethis。
JackBentleygasped，andstartedforwardwithanideaofinterceptingtheinspectorandholdinghimforafewminutesinbogusconversation。Inspirationscometooneatacriticalmoment，anditflashedonJack’smindtosendAndyinstead。Andylookedasinnocentandguilelessashewas，butwasuncomfortableinthevicinityof\"funnybusiness\"，andmusthaveanhonestexcuse。
\"Notthatthatmattered，\"commentedJackafterwards;\"itwouldhavetakentheinspectortenminutestogetatwhatAndywasdrivingat，whateveritwas。\"
\"Run，Andy！Tellhimthere’saheavythunderstormcomingandhe’dbetterstayinourhumpytillit’sover。Run！Don’tstandstaringlikeablankyfool。
He’llbegone！\"
Andystarted。Butjustthen，asluckwouldhaveit，oneofthefencersstartedaftertheinspector，hailinghimas\"Hi，mister！\"
Hewantedtobesetrightaboutthesurveyorsomething——ortopretendtowanttobesetright——frommotivesofpolicywhichIhaven’ttimetoexplainhere。
ThatfencerexplainedafterwardstoDave’spartythathe\"seenwhatyoucoveswasupto，\"andthat’swhyhecalledtheinspectorback。
Buthetoldthemthataftertheyhadtoldtheiryarn——whichwasamistake。
\"Comeback，Andy！\"criedJackBentley。
DaveReganslippedroundthetree，downonhishandsandknees，andmadequicktimethroughthegrasswhich，luckily，grewprettytallonthethirtyorfortyyardsofslopebetweenthetreeandthehorse。
Closetothehorse，athoughtstruckDavethatpulledhimup，andsentashiveralonghisspineandahungryfeelingunderit。
Thehorsewouldbreakawayandbolt！Butthecasewasdesperate。
Daveventuredaninterrogatory\"Cope，cope，cope？\"Thehorseturneditsheadwearilyandregardedhimwithamildeye，asifhe’dexpectedhimtocome，andcomeonallfours，andwonderedwhathadkepthimsolong;thenhewentonthinking。
Davereachedthefootofthepost;thehorseobliginglyleaningoverontheotherleg。Daverearedheadandshoulderscautiouslybehindthepost，likeasnake;hishandwentuptwice，swiftly——thefirsttimehegrabbedtheinspector’schip，andthesecondtimeheputtheiron-barkoneinitsplace。Hedrewdownandback，andscuttledoffforthetreelikeagigantictailless\"goanna\"。
Afewminuteslaterhewalkeduptotheculvertfromalongthecreek，smokinghardtosettlehisnerves。
Theskyseemedtodarkensuddenly;thefirstgreatdropsofthethunderstormcamepeltingdown。Theinspectorhurriedtohishorse，andcanteredoffalongthelineinthedirectionofthefettlers’camp。
Hehadforgottenallaboutthechip，andleftitontopofthepost！
DaveRegansatdownonthebeamintherainandsworecomprehensively。
\"Middleton’sPeter\"
I。
TheFirstBornThestrugglingsquatteristobefoundinAustraliaaswellasthe\"strugglingfarmer\"。TheAustraliansquatterisnotalwaysthemightywoolkingthatEnglishandAmericanauthorsandotheruninformedpeopleapparentlyimaginehimtobe。Squatting，atthebest，isbutagameofchance。Itdependsmainlyontheweather，andthat，inNewSouthWalesatleast，dependsonnothing。
JoeMiddletonwasastrugglingsquatter，withastationsomedistancetothewestwardofthefurthestlinereachedbytheordinary\"newchum\"。
Hisrun，atthetimeofourstory，wasonlyaboutsixmilessquare，andhisstockwaslimitedinproportion。ThehandsonJoe’srunconsistedofhisbrotherDave，amiddle-agedmanknownonlyas\"Middleton’sPeter\"（whohadbeenintheserviceoftheMiddletonfamilyeversinceJoeMiddletoncouldremember），andanoldblackshepherd，withhisginandtwoboys。
ItwasinthefirstyearofJoe’smarriage。Hehadmarriedaveryordinarygirl，asfarasAustraliangirlsgo，butinhiseyesshewasanangel。Hereallyworshippedher。
Onesultryafternooninmidsummerallthestationhands，withtheexceptionofDaveMiddleton，werecongregatedaboutthehomesteaddoor，anditwasevidentfromtheirsolemnfacesthatsomethingunusualwasthematter。Theyappearedtobewatchingforsomethingorsomeoneacrosstheflat，andtheoldblackshepherd，whohadbeenlisteningintentlywithbenthead，suddenlystraightenedhimselfupandcried：
\"Icanhearthecart。Icanseeit！\"
Youmustbearinmindthatourblackfellowsdonotalwaystalkthegibberishwithwhichtheyarecreditedbystorywriters。
ItwasnotuntilsometimeafterBlackBillhadspokenthatthewhite——or，rather，thebrown——portionofthepartycouldseeorevenheartheapproachingvehicle。Atlast，faroutthroughthetrunksofthenativeapple-trees，thecartwasseenapproaching;andasitcameneareritwasevidentthatitwasbeingdrivenatabreak-neckpace，thehorsescanteringalltheway，whilethemotionofthecart，asfirstonewheelandthentheothersprangfromarootorarut，boreastrikingresemblancetotheHighlandFling。Thereweretwopersonsinthecart。
OnewasMotherPalmer，astout，middle-agedparty（whosometimesdidthedutiesofamidwife），andtheotherwasDaveMiddleton，Joe’sbrother。
Thecartwasdrivenrightuptothedoorwithscarcelyanyabatementofspeed，andwasstoppedsosuddenlythatMrs。Palmerwassentsprawlingontothehorse’srump。Shewasquicklyhelpeddown，and，assoonasshehadrecoveredsufficientbreath，shefollowedBlackMaryintothebedroomwhereyoungMrs。Middletonwaslying，lookingverypaleandfrightened。Thehorsewhichhadbeendrivensocruellyhadnotdoneblowingbeforeanothercartappeared，alsodrivenveryfast。
ItcontainedoldMr。andMrs。Middleton，wholivedcomfortablyonasmallfarmnotfarfromPalmer’splace。
AssoonashehaddumpedMrs。Palmer，DaveMiddletonleftthecartand，mountingafreshhorsewhichstoodreadysaddledintheyard，gallopedoffthroughthescrubinadifferentdirection。
HalfanhourafterwardsJoeMiddletoncamehomeonahorsethathadbeenalmostriddentodeath。Hismothercameoutatthesoundofhisarrival，andheanxiouslyaskedher：
\"Howisshe？\"
\"DidyoufindDoc。Wild？\"askedthemother。
\"No，confoundhim！\"exclaimedJoebitterly。\"HepromisedmefaithfullytocomeoveronWednesdayandstayuntilMaggiewasrightagain。
NowhehasleftDean’sandgone——Lordknowswhere。Isupposeheisdrinkingagain。HowisMaggie？\"
\"It’sallovernow——thechildisborn。It’saboy;butsheisveryweak。
DavegotMrs。Palmerherejustintime。IhadbettertellyouatoncethatMrs。Palmersaysifwedon’tgetadoctorhereto-nightpoorMaggiewon’tlive。\"
\"GoodGod！andwhatamItodo？\"criedJoedesperately。
\"Isthereanyotherdoctorwithinreach？\"
\"No;thereisonlytheoneatB————;that’sfortymilesaway，andheislaidupwiththebrokenleghegotinthebuggyaccident。
Where’sDave？\"
\"GonetoBlack’sshanty。OneofMrs。Palmer’ssonsthoughtherememberedsomeonesayingthatDoc。Wildwastherelastweek。
That’sfifteenmilesaway。\"
\"Butitisouronlyhope，\"saidJoedejectedly。\"IwishtoGodthatIhadtakenMaggietosomecivilisedplaceamonthago。\"
Doc。Wildwasawell-knowncharacteramongthebushmenofNewSouthWales，andalthoughtheprofessiondidnotrecognisehim，anddenouncedhimasanempiric，hisskillwasundoubted。Bushmenhadgreatfaithinhim，andwouldoftenrideincredibledistancesinordertobringhimtothebedsideofasickfriend。Hedrankfearfully，butwasseldomincapableoftreatingapatient;hewould，however，sometimesbefoundinanobstinatemoodandrefusetotraveltothesideofasickperson，andthenthedevilhimselfcouldnotmakethedoctorbudge。Butforallthishewasverygenerous——
afactthatcould，nodoubt，betestifiedtobymanyagratefulsojournerinthelonelybush。
II。
TheOnlyHopeNightcameon，andstilltherewasnochangeintheconditionoftheyoungwife，andnosignofthedoctor。Severalstockmenfromtheneighbouringstations，hearingthattherewastroubleatJoeMiddleton’s，hadriddenover，andhadgallopedoffonlong，hopelessridesinsearchofadoctor。Beinggenerallyfreefromsicknessthemselves，thesebushmenlookuponitasaseriousbusinesseveninitsmildestform;whatismore，theirsympathyisalwayspracticalwhereitispossibleforittobeso。Oneday，whileoutontherunafteran\"outlaw\"，JoeMiddletonwasbadlythrownfromhishorse，andthebreak-neckridingthatwasdoneonthatoccasionfromthetimethehorsecamehomewithemptysaddleuntiltheriderwassafeinbedandattendedbyadoctorwassomethingextraordinary，evenforthebush。
BeforethetimearrivedwhenDaveMiddletonmightreasonablyhavebeenexpectedtoreturn，thestationpeoplewereanxiouslywatchingforhim，allexcepttheoldblackfellowandthetwoboys，whohadgonetoyardthesheep。
ThepartyhadbeenincreasedbyJimmyNowlett，thebullocky，whohadjustarrivedwithaloadoffencingwireandprovisionsforMiddleton。
Jimmywasstandinginthemoonlight，whipinhand，lookingasanxiousasthehusbandhimself，andendeavouringtocalculatebymentalarithmetictheexacttimeitoughttotakeDavetocompletehisdoublejourney，takingintoconsiderationthedistance，theobstaclesintheway，andthechancesofhorse-flesh。
ButthetimewhichJimmyfixedforthearrivalcamewithoutDave。
OldPeter（ashewasgenerallycalled，thoughhewasnotreallyold）
stoodasideinhisusualsullenmanner，hishatdrawndownoverhisbrowandeyes，andnothingvisiblebutathickandveryhorizontalblackbeard，fromthedepthofwhichemergedlargecloudsofverystrongtobaccosmoke，theproductofashort，black，claypipe。
TheyhadalmostgivenupallhopeofseeingDavereturnthatnight，whenPeterslowlyanddeliberatelyremovedhispipeandgrunted：
\"He’sa-comin’。\"
Hethenreplacedthepipe，andsmokedonasbefore。
Alllistened，butnotoneofthemcouldhearasound。
\"Yerearsmustbeprettysharpforyerage，Peter。Wecan’thearhim，\"
remarkedJimmyNowlett。
\"Hisdogken，\"saidPeter。
ThepipewasagainremovedanditsabbreviatedstempointedinthedirectionofDave’scattledog，whohadrisenbesidehiskennelwithpointedears，andwaslookingeagerlyinthedirectionfromwhichhismasterwasexpectedtocome。
Presentlythesoundofhorse’shoofswasdistinctlyheard。
\"Icanheartwohorses，\"criedJimmyNowlettexcitedly。
\"There’sonlyone，\"saidoldPeterquietly。
Afewmomentspassed，andasinglehorsemanappearedonthefarsideoftheflat。
\"It’sDoc。WildonDave’shorse，\"criedJimmyNowlett。
\"Davedon’tridelikethat。\"
\"It’sDave，\"saidPeter，replacinghispipeandlookingmoreunsociablethanever。
Daverodeupand，throwinghimselfwearilyfromthesaddle，stoodominouslysilentbythesideofhishorse。
JoeMiddletonsaidnothing，butstoodasidewithanexpressionofutterhopelessnessonhisface。
\"Notthere？\"askedJimmyNowlettatlast，addressingDave。
\"Yes，he’sthere，\"answeredDave，impatiently。
Thiswasnottheanswertheyexpected，butnobodyseemedsurprised。
\"Drunk？\"askedJimmy。
\"Yes。\"
HereoldPeterremovedhispipe，andpronouncedtheoneword——\"How？\"
\"Whatthehelldoyoumeanbythat？\"mutteredDave，whosepatiencehadevidentlybeenseverelytriedbythecleverbutintemperatebushdoctor。
\"Howdrunk？\"explainedPeter，withgreatequanimity。
\"Stubborndrunk，blinddrunk，beastlydrunk，deaddrunk，anddamnedwelldrunk，ifthat’swhatyouwanttoknow！\"
\"WhatdidDoc。say？\"askedJimmy。
\"Saidhewassick——hadlumbago——wouldn’tcomefortheQueenofEngland;
saidhewantedacourseoftreatmenthimself。Cursehim！Ihavenopatiencetotalkabouthim。\"
\"I’dgivehimacourseoftreatment，\"mutteredJimmyviciously，trailingthelonglashofhisbullock-whipthroughthegrassandspittingspitefullyattheground。
DaveturnedawayandjoinedJoe，whowastalkingearnestlytohismotherbythekitchendoor。HetoldthemthathehadspentanhourtryingtopersuadeDoc。Wildtocome，and，thatbeforehehadlefttheshanty，Blackhadpromisedhimfaithfullytobringthedoctoroverassoonashisobstinatemoodworeoff。
Justthenalowmoanwasheardfromthesickroom，followedbythesoundofMotherPalmer’svoicecallingoldMrs。Middleton，whowentinsideimmediately。
NoonehadnoticedthedisappearanceofPeter，andwhenhepresentlyreturnedfromthestockyard，leadingtheonlyfreshhorsethatremained，JimmyNowlettbegantoregardhimwithsomeinterest。
PetertransferredthesaddlefromDave’shorsetotheother，andthenwentintoasmallroomoffthekitchen，whichservedhimasabedroom;fromithesoonreturnedwithaformidable-lookingrevolver，thechambersofwhichheexaminedinthemoonlightinfullviewofallthecompany。Theythoughtforamomentthemanhadgonemad。
OldMiddletonleapedquicklybehindNowlett，andBlackMary，whohadcomeouttothecaskatthecornerforadipperofwater，droppedthedipperandwasinsidelikeashot。Oneoftheblackboyscamesoftlyupatthatmoment;assoonashissharpeye\"spotted\"theweapon，hedisappearedasthoughtheearthhadswallowedhim。
\"Whatthemischiefareyergoin’terdo，Peter？\"askedJimmy。
\"Goin’tofetchhim，\"saidPeter，and，aftercarefullyemptyinghispipeandreplacingitinaleatherpouchathisbelt，hemountedandrodeoffataneasycanter。
Jimmywatchedthehorseuntilitdisappearedattheedgeoftheflat，andthenaftercoilingupthelonglashofhisbullock-whipinthedustuntilitlookedlikeasleepingsnake，heproddedthesmallendofthelongpinehandleintothemiddleofthecoil，asthoughdrivinghomeapoint，andsaidinatoneofintenseconviction：
\"He’llfetchhim。\"
III。
Doc。WildPetergraduallyincreasedhishorse’sspeedalongtheroughbushtrackuntilhewasridingatagoodpace。Itwastenmilestothemainroad，andfivefromtheretotheshantykeptbyBlack。
ForsometimebeforePeterstartedtheatmospherehadbeenverycloseandoppressive。Thegreatblackedgeofastorm-cloudhadrisenintheeast，andeverythingindicatedtheapproachofathunderstorm。
Itwasnotlongcoming。BeforePeterhadcompletedsixmilesofhisjourney，thecloudsrolledover，obscuringthemoon，andanAustralianthunderstormcameonwithitsmightydownpour，itsblindinglightning，anditsearth-shakingthunder。Peterrodesteadilyon，onlypausingnowandthenuntilaflashrevealedthetrackinfrontofhim。
Black’sshanty——or，rather，asthesignhadit，\"PostOfficeandGeneralStore\"——was，aswehavesaid，fivemilesalongthemainroadfromthepointwhereMiddleton’strackjoinedit。Thebuildingwasoftheusualstyleofbusharchitecture。Abouttwohundredyardsnearerthecreek，whichcrossedtheroadfurtheron，stoodalargebarkandslabstable，largeenoughtohavemettherequirementsofalegitimatebush\"public\"。
Thereadermaydoubtthata\"slygrogshop\"couldopenlycarryonbusinessonamainGovernmentroadalongwhichmountedtrooperswerecontinuallypassing。Butthen，yousee，mountedtroopersgetthirstylikeothermen;moreover，theycouldalwaysgettheirthirstquenched`gratis’
attheseplaces;sothereaderwillbepreparedtohearthatonthisverynighttwotroopers’horseswerestowedsnuglyawayinthestable，andtwotrooperswerestowedsnuglyawayinthebackroomoftheshanty，sleepingofftheeffectsoftheircheapbutstrongpotations。
Thereweretworooms，ofasort，attachedtothestables——oneateachend。
Onewasoccupiedbyamanwhowas\"generallyuseful\"，andtheotherwasthesurgery，office，andbedroom`protem。’ofDoc。Wild。
Doc。Wildwasatallman，ofspareproportions。Hehadacadaverousface，blackhair，bushyblackeyebrows，eaglenose，andeagleeyes。
Heneversleptwhilehewasdrinking。Onthisoccasionhesatinfrontofthefireonalowthree-leggedstool。
Hiskneesweredrawnup，histoeshookedroundthefrontlegsofthestool，onehandrestingononeknee，andoneelbow（thehandsupportingthechin）
restingontheother。Hewasstaringintentlyintothefire，onwhichanoldblacksaucepanwasboilingandsendingforthapungentodourofherbs。Thereseemedsomethinguncannyaboutthedoctorastheredlightofthefirefellonhishawk-likefaceandgleamingeyes。
HemighthavebeenMephistopheleswatchingsomeinfernalbrew。
Hehadsattheresometimewithoutstirringafinger，whenthedoorsuddenlyburstopenandMiddleton’sPeterstoodwithin，drippingwet。
Thedoctorturnedhisblack，piercingeyesupontheintruder（whoregardedhimsilently）foramoment，andthenaskedquietly：
\"Whatthehelldoyouwant？\"
\"Iwantyou，\"saidPeter。
\"Andwhatdoyouwantmefor？\"
\"IwantyoutocometoJoeMiddleton’swife。She’sbad，\"saidPetercalmly。
\"Iwon’tcome，\"shoutedthedoctor。\"I’vebroughtenoughhorse-stealersintotheworldalready。Ifanymorewanttocometheycangotoblazesforme。Now，yougetoutofthis！\"
\"Don’tgetyerragout，\"saidPeterquietly。\"Thehoss-stealer’scome，an’nearlykilledhismotherterbeginwith;an’ifyerdon’tgetyerphysic-boxan’comewi’me，bythegreatGodI’ll————\"
HeretherevolverwasproducedandpointedatDoc。Wild’shead。
Thesightoftheweaponhadasoberingeffectuponthedoctor。Herose，lookedatPetercriticallyforamoment，knockedtheweaponoutofhishand，andsaidslowlyanddeliberately：
\"Wall，efthecaseesasseriousasthat，I（hic）reckonI’dbettercome。\"
Peterwasstillofthesameopinion，soDoc。Wildproceededtogethismedicinechestready。Heexplainedafterwards，inoneofhissoftermoments，thattheshooterdidn’tfrightenhimsomuchasittouchedhismemory——\"sorterputhiminmindoftheolddaysinCalifornia，andmadehimthinkofthemanhemighthavebeen，\"
he’dsay，——\"kindertouchedhisheartandslidthedurnedoldpanoramainfrontofhimlikeaflash;madehimthinkofthetimewhenheslippedthreeleadenpillsinto`BlueShirt’forwinkingatanewchumbehindhis（theDoc。’s）backwhenhewastellingatruthfulyarn，andchargedthesaid`BlueShirt’ahundreddollarsforextractingthesaidpills。\"
JoeMiddleton’swifeisagrandmothernow。
Peterpassedafterthemannerofhissort;hewasfounddeadinhisbunk。
PoorDoc。Wilddiedinashepherd’shutattheDryCreeks。
Theshepherds（whitemen）foundhim，\"nakedashewasbornandwiththehidehalfburnedoffhimwiththesun，\"roundingupimaginarysnakesonadustyclearing，oneblazinghotday。Thehut-keeperhadsome\"quare\"（queer）experienceswiththedoctorduringthenextthreedaysandused，inafteryears，totellofthem，betweenthepuffsofhispipe，calmlyandsolemnlyandasifthestorywasrathertothedoctor’screditthanotherwise。Theshepherdssentforthepoliceandadoctor，andsentwordtoJoeMiddleton。Doc。Wildwassensibletowardstheend。
Hisinterviewwiththeotherdoctorwascharacteristic。\"And，nowyouseehowfarIam，\"hesaidinconclusion——\"haveyoubroughtthebrandy？\"
Theotherdoctorhad。JoeMiddletoncamewithhiswaggonette，andinitthesoftestmattressandpillowsthestationafforded。
Healso，inhisinnocence，broughtadozenofsoda-water。
Doc。WildtookJoe’shandfeebly，and，alittlelater，he\"passedout\"
（ashewouldhavesaid）murmuring\"somethingthatsoundedlikepoetry\"，inanunknowntongue。Joetookthebodytothehomestation。
\"Who’sthebossbringin’？\"askedtheshearers，seeingthewaggonettecomingveryslowlyandthebosswalkingbythehorses’heads。
\"Doc。Wild，\"saidastationhand。\"Takeyerhatsoff。\"
Theyburiedhimwithbushhonours，andchiselledhisnameonaslabofbluegum——awoodthatlasts。
TheMysteryofDaveRegan\"AndthentherewasDaveRegan，\"saidthetraveller。\"DaveusedtodieoftenerthananyotherbushmanIknew。Hewasalwaysbeingreporteddeadandturnin’upagain。Heseemedtolikeit——exceptonce，whenhisbrotherdrewhismoneyanddrankitalltodrownhisgriefatwhathecalledDave’s`untimelyend’。Well，DavewentuptoQueenslandoncewithcattle，andwasawaythreeyearsandreporteddead，asusual。
HewasdrownedintheBoganthistimewhiletryin’toswimhishorseacrostaflood——andhissweethearthurriedupandgotsplicedtoaworsemanbeforeDavegotback。
\"Well，onedayIwasoutinthebushlookin’fortimber，whenthebiggeststormeverknowedinthatplacecomeon。
Therewashailinit，too，asbigasbullets，andifIhadn’tgotbehindastumpandcroucheddownintimeI’dhavebeenriddledlikea——likeabushranger。Asitwas，Igotsoakin’wet。
Thestormwasoverinafewminutes，thewaterrunoffdownthegullies，andthesuncomeoutandthescrubsteamed——andstunklikeanewpairofmoleskintrousers。Iwentonalongthetrack，andpresentlyIseenalong，lankychapgetontoalong，lankyhorseandrideoutofabushyardattheedgeofaclearin’。
IknoweditwasDaved’recklyIseteyesonhim。
\"Daveusedtorideatall，holler-backedthoroughbredwithabodyandlimbslikeakangaroodog，anditwouldcirclearoundyouandsidleawayasifitwasfrightenedyouwasgoin’tojabaknifeintoit。
\"`’Ello！Dave！’saidI，ashecamespurrin’up。`Howareyer！’
\"`’Ello，Jim！’sayshe。`Howareyou？’
\"`Allright！’saysI。`Howareyergettin’on？’
\"But，beforewecouldsayanymore，thathorseshiedawayandbrokeoffthroughthescrubtotheright。Iwaited，becauseIknowedDavewouldcomebackagainifIwaitedlongenough;andinabouttenminuteshecamesidlin’infromthescrubtotheleft。
\"`Oh，I’mallright，’sayshe，spurrin’upsideways;`Howareyou？’
\"`Right！’saysI。`How’stheoldpeople？’
\"`Oh，Iain’tbeenhomeyet，’sayshe，holdin’outhishand;
but，aforeIcouldgripit，thecussedhorsesidledofftothesouthendoftheclearin’andbrokeawayagainthroughthescrub。
\"IheardDaveswearin’aboutthecountryfortwentyminutesorso，andthenhecamespurrin’andcursin’infromtheotherendoftheclearin’。
\"`Wherehaveyoubeenallthistime？’Isaid，asthehorsecamecurvin’uplikeaboomerang。
\"`Gulfcountry，’saidDave。
\"`Thatwasastorm，Dave，’saidI。
\"`Myoath！’saysDave。
\"`Getcaughtinit？’
\"`Yes。’
\"`Gottoshelter？’
\"`No。’
\"`Butyou’reasdry’sabone，Dave！’
\"Davegrinned。`——————and——————and——————the————————！’heyelled。
\"Hesaidthattothehorseasitboomerangedoffagainandbrokeawaythroughthescrub。Iwaited;buthedidn’tcomeback，andIreckonedhe’dgotsofarawaybeforehecouldpullupthathedidn’tthinkitworthwhilecomin’back;soIwenton。
By-and-byeIgotthinkin’。Davewasasdryasabone，andIknowedthathehadn’thadtimetogettoshelter，fortherewasn’tashedwithintwelvemiles。Hewasn’tonlydry，buthiscoatwascreasedanddustytoo——sameasifhe’dbeensleepin’
inahollerlog;andwhenIcometothinkofit，hisfaceseemedthinnerandwhiterthanitusedter，andsodidhishandsandwrists，whichalwaysstuckalongwayoutofhiscoat-sleeves;andtherewasbloodonhisface——butIthoughthe’dgotscratchedwithatwig。
（Daveusedtowearacoatthreeorfoursizestoosmallforhim，withsleevesthatdidn’tcomemuchbelowhiselbowsandatailthatscarcelyreachedhiswaistbehind。）Andhishairseemeddarkandlank，insteadofbein’sandyandstickin’outlikeanoldfibrebrush，asitusedter。AndthenIthoughthisvoicesoundeddifferent，too。
And，whenIenquirednextday，therewasnooneheardofDave，andthechapsreckonedImusthavebeendrunk，orseenhisghost。
\"Itdidn’tseemallrightatall——itworriedmealot。Icouldn’tmakeouthowDavekeptdry;andthehorseandsaddleandsaddle-clothwaswet。
Itoldthechapshowhetalkedtomeandwhathesaid，andhowhesworeatthehorse;buttheyonlysaiditwasDave’sghostandnobodyelse’s。
Itold’emabouthimbein’dryasaboneaftergettin’caughtinthatstorm;
buttheyonlylaughedandsaiditwasadryplacewhereDavewentto。
Italkedandarguedaboutituntilthechapsbegantotaptheirforeheadsandwink——thenIleftofftalking。
ButIdidn’tleaveoffthinkin’——Ialwayshatedamystery。
EvenDave’sfathertoldmethatDavecouldn’tbealiveorelsehisghostwouldn’tberound——hesaidheknewDavebetterthanthat。
OneortwofellersdidturnupafterwardsthathadseenDaveaboutthetimethatIdid——andthenthechapssaidtheywassurethatDavewasdead。
\"Butonefineday，asalotofuschapswasplayin’pitchandtossattheshanty，oneofthefellersyelledout：
\"`ByGee！HerecomesDaveRegan！’
\"AndIlookedupandsawDavehimself，sidlin’outofacloudofdustonalonglankyhorse。Herodeintothestockyard，gotdown，hunghishorseuptoapost，putuptherails，andthencomeslopin’towardsuswithahalf-acregrinonhisface。
Davehadlong，thinbow-legs，andwhenhewasonthegroundhemovedasifhewasonrollerskates。
\"`’El-lo，Dave！’saysI。`Howareyer？’
\"`’Ello，Jim！’saidhe。`Howtheblazesareyou？’
\"`Allright！’saysI，shakin’hands。`Howareyer？’
\"`Oh！I’mallright！’hesays。`Howareyerpoppin’up！’
\"Well，whenwe’dgotallthatsettled，andtheotherchapshadaskedhowhewas，hesaid：`Ah，well！Let’shaveadrink。’
\"AndalltheotherchapscrawfishedupandflungthemselvesroundthecornerandsidledintothebarafterDave。Wehadalotoftalk，andhetoldusthathe’dbeendownbefore，buthadgoneawaywithoutseein’anyofus，exceptme，becausehe’dsuddenlyheardofamobofcattleatastationtwohundredmilesaway;andafterawhileItookhimasideandsaid：
\"`Lookhere，Dave！DoyourememberthedayImetyouafterthestorm？’
\"Hescratchedhishead。
\"`Why，yes，’hesays。
\"`Didyougetundershelterthatday？’
\"`Why——no。’
\"`Thenhowtheblazesdidn’tyergetwet？’
\"Davegrinned;thenhesays：
\"`Why，whenIseenthestormcomingItookoffmeclothesandstuck’eminahollerlogtilltherainwasover。’
\"`Yes，’hesays，aftertheothercoveshaddonelaughin’，butbeforeI’ddonethinking;`Ikeptmyclothesdryandgotagoodrefreshin’shower-bathintothebargain。’
\"Thenhescratchedthebackofhisneckwithhislittlefinger，anddroppedhisjaw，andthoughtabit;thenherubbedthetopofhisheadandhisshoulder，reflective-like，andthenhesaid：
\"`ButIdidn’treckonforthemthereblankyhailstones。’\"
MitchellonMatrimony\"Isupposeyourwifewillbegladtoseeyou，\"saidMitchelltohismateintheircampbythedamatHungerford。Theywereoverhaulingtheirswags，andthrowingawaytheblankets，andcalico，andoldclothes，andrubbishtheydidn’twant——everything，infact，excepttheirpocket-booksandlettersandportraits，thingswhichmencarryaboutwiththemalways，thatarefoundonthemwhentheydie，andsenttotheirrelationsifpossible。
Otherwisetheyaretakeninchargebytheconstablewhoofficiatesattheinquest，andforwardedtotheMinisterofJusticealongwiththedepositions。
Itwastheendoftheshearingseason。Mitchellandhismatehadbeenluckyenoughtogettwogoodshedsinsuccession，andweregoingtotakethecoachfromHungerfordtoBourkeontheirwaytoSydney。Themorningstarswerebrightyet，andtheysatdowntoafinalbillyoftea，twodustyJohnny-cakes，andascragofsaltmutton。
\"Yes，\"saidMitchell’smate，\"andI’llbegladtoseehertoo。\"
\"Isupposeyouwill，\"saidMitchell。Heplacedhispint-potbetweenhisfeet，restedhisarmagainsthisknee，andstirredtheteameditativelywiththehandleofhispocket-knife。ItwasvaguelyunderstoodthatMitchellhadbeenmarriedatoneperiodofhischequeredcareer。
\"Idon’tthinkweeverunderstoodwomenproperly，\"hesaid，ashetookacautioussiptoseeifhisteawascoolandsweetenough，forhislipsweresore;\"Idon’tthinkweeverwill——wenevertookthetroubletotry，andifwediditwouldbeonlywastedbrainpowerthatmightjustaswellbespentontheblackfellow’slingo;
becausebythetimeyou’velearntitthey’llbeextinct，andwoman’llbeextinctbeforeyou’velearnther……
Themorningstarlooksbright，doesn’tit？\"
\"Ah，well，\"saidMitchellafterawhile，\"there’smanylittlethingswemighttrytounderstandwomenin。Ireadinapieceofnewspapertheotherdayabouthowamanchangesafterhe’smarried;
howhegetsshort，andimpatient，andbored（whichisonlynatural），andsticksupawallofnewspaperbetweenhimselfandhiswifewhenhe’sathome;andhowitcomeslikeacoldshocktoher，andallherair-castlesvanish，andintheendsheoftenthinksabouttakingthebabyandtheclothesshestandsin，andgoinghomeforsympathyandcomforttomother。
\"Perhapsshenevergotawordofsympathyfromhermotherinherlife，noraday’scomfortathomebeforeshewasmarried;butthatdoesn’tmaketheslightestdifference。Itdoesn’tmakeanydifferenceinyourcaseeither，ifyouhaven’tbeenactinglikeadutifulson-in-law。
\"Somebodywrotethatawoman’sloveisherwholeexistence，whileaman’sloveisonlypartofhis——whichistrue，andonlynaturalandreasonable，allthingsconsidered。Butwomenneverconsiderasarule。Amancan’tgoontalkinglovey-doveytalkforever，andlisteningtohisyoungwife’sprattlewhenhe’sgottothinkaboutmakingaliving，andnursingherandansweringherchildishquestionsandtellingherheloveshislittleownesteveryminuteintheday，whilethebillsarerunningup，andrentmorningsbegintoflyroundandhustleandcrowdhim。
\"He’sgotherandhe’ssatisfied;andifthetruthisknownhelovesherreallymorethanhedidwhentheywereengaged，onlyshewon’tbesatisfiedaboutitunlesshetellshersoeveryhourintheday。Atleastthat’showitisforthefirstfewmonths。
\"Butawomandoesn’tunderstandthesethings——sheneverwill，shecan’t——
anditwouldbejustaswellforustotryandunderstandthatshedoesn’tandcan’tunderstandthem。\"
Mitchellknockedthetea-leavesoutofhispannikinagainsthisboot，andreachedforthebilly。
\"There’smanylittlethingswemightdothatseemmeretriflesandnonsensetous，butmeanalottoher;thatwouldn’tbeanytroubleorsacrificetous，butmighthelptomakeherlifehappy。It’sjustbecauseweneverthinkabouttheselittlethings——don’tthinkthemworththinkingabout，infact——
theyneverenterourintellectualforeheads。
\"Forinstance，whenyou’regoingoutinthemorningyoumightputyourarmsroundherandgiveherahugandakiss，withoutherhavingtoremindyou。Youmayforgetaboutitandneverthinkanymoreofit——
butshewill。
\"Itwouldn’tbeanytroubletoyou，andwouldonlytakeacoupleofseconds，andwouldgivehersomethingtobehappyaboutwhenyou’regone，andmakehersingtoherselfforhourswhileshebustlesaboutherworkandthinksupwhatshe’llgetyoufordinner。\"
Mitchell’smatesighed，andshiftedthesugar-bagovertowardsMitchell。
Heseemedtouchedandbotheredoversomething。
\"Thenagain，\"saidMitchell，\"itmightn’tbeconvenientforyoutogohometodinner——somethingmightturnupduringthemorning——
youmighthavesomeimportantbusinesstodo，ormeetsomechapsandgetinvitedtolunchandnotbeverywellabletorefuse，whenit’stoolate，oryouhaven’tachancetosendamessagetoyourwife。
Butthenagain，chapsandbusinessseemverybigthingstoyou，andonlylittlethingstothewife;justaslovey-doveytalkisimportanttoherandnonsensetoyou。Andwhenyoucometoanalyseit，oneisnotsobig，northeothersosmall，afterall;
especiallywhenyoucometothinkthatchapscanalwayswait，andbusinessisonlyaninspirationinyourmind，ninecasesoutoften。
\"Thinkofthetroubleshetakestogetyouagooddinner，andhowshekeepsithotbetweentwoplatesintheoven，andwaitshourafterhourtillthedinnergetsdriedup，andallhermorning’sworkiswasted。Thinkhowithurtsher，andhowanxiousshe’llbe（especiallyifyou’reinclinedtobooze）
forfearthatsomethinghashappenedtoyou。Youcan’tgetitoutoftheheadsofsomeyoungwivesthatyou’reliabletogetrunover，orknockeddown，orassaulted，orrobbed，orgetintooneofthefixesthatawomanislikelytogetinto。Butaboutthedinnerwaiting。
Tryandputyourselfinherplace。Wouldn’tyougetmadunderthesamecircumstances？IknowIwould。
\"Irememberonce，onlyjustafterIwasmarried，Iwasinvitedunexpectedlytoakidneypuddingandbeans——whichwasmyfavouritegrubatthetime——
andIdidn’tresist，especiallyasitwaswashingdayandItoldthewifenottobotheraboutanythingfordinner。Igothomeanhourorsolate，andhadagoodexplanationthoughtout，whenthewifemetmewithasmileasifwehadjustbeenleftathousandpounds。She’dgotherwashingfinishedwithoutassistance，thoughI’dtoldhertogetsomebodytohelpher，andshehadakidneypuddingandbeans，withalotofextrasthrownin，asapleasantsurpriseforme。
\"Well，Ikissedher，andsatdown，andstuffedtillIthoughteverymouthfulwouldchokeme。Igotthroughwithitsomehow，butI’venevercaredforkidneypuddingorbeanssince。\"
Mitchellfeltforhispipewithafatherlysmileinhiseyes。
\"Andthenagain，\"hecontinued，ashecutuphistobacco，\"yourwifemightputonanewdressandfixherselfupandlookwell，andyoumightthinksoandbesatisfiedwithherappearanceandbeproudtotakeherout;butyouwanttotellherso，andtellhersoasoftenasyouthinkaboutit——andtrytothinkalittleoftenerthanmenusuallydo，too。\"……
\"Youshouldhavemadeagoodhusband，Jack，\"saidhismate，inasoftenedtone。
\"Ah，well，perhapsIshould，\"saidMitchell，rubbinguphistobacco;
thenheaskedabstractedly：\"Whatsortofahusbanddidyoumake，Joe？\"
\"ImighthavemadeabetteronethanIdid，\"saidJoeseriously，andratherbitterly，\"butIknowonething，I’mgoingtotryandmakeupforitwhenIgobackthistime。\"
\"Weallsaythat，\"saidMitchellreflectively，fillinghispipe。
\"Shelovesyou，Joe。\"
\"Iknowshedoes，\"saidJoe。
Mitchelllitup。
\"Andsowouldanymanwhoknewherorhadseenherletterstoyou，\"
hesaidbetweenthepuffs。\"She’shappyandcontentedenough，Ibelieve？\"
\"Yes，\"saidJoe，\"atleastwhileIwasthere。She’snevereasywhenI’maway。
Imighthavemadeheragooddealmorehappyandcontentedwithouthurtingmyselfmuch。\"
Mitchellsmokedlong，soft，measuredpuffs。
Hismateshifteduneasilyandglancedathimacoupleoftimes，andseemedtobecomeimpatient，andtomakeuphismindaboutsomething;
orperhapshegotanideathatMitchellhadbeen\"having\"him，andfeltangryoverbeingbetrayedintomaudlinconfidences;
forheaskedabruptly：
\"Howisyourwifenow，Mitchell？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidMitchellcalmly。
\"Don’tknow？\"echoedthemate。\"Didn’tyoutreatherwell？\"
Mitchellremovedhispipeanddrewalongbreath。
\"Ah，well，Itriedto，\"hesaidwearily。
\"Well，didyouputyourtheoryintopractice？\"
\"Idid，\"saidMitchellverydeliberately。
Joewaited，butnothingcame。
\"Well？\"heaskedimpatiently，\"Howdiditact？Diditworkwell？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidMitchell（puff）;\"sheleftme。\"
\"What！\"
Mitchelljerkedthehalf-smokedpipefromhismouth，andrappedtheburningtobaccooutagainstthetoeofhisboot。
\"Sheleftme，\"hesaid，standingupandstretchinghimself。
Then，withaviciousjerkofhisarm，\"Sheleftmefor——
anotherkindofafellow！\"
Helookedeasttowardsthepublic-house，wheretheyweretakingthecoach-horsesfromthestable。
\"Whydon’tyoufinishyourtea，Joe？Thebilly’sgettingcold。\"
MitchellonWomen\"Allthesame，\"saidMitchell’smate，continuinganargumentbythecamp-fire;
\"allthesame，Ithinkthatawomancanstandcoldwaterbetterthanaman。
Why，whenIwasstayinginaboarding-houseinDunedin，oneverycoldwinter，therewasaladylodgerwhowentdowntotheshower-bathfirstthingeverymorning;nevermissedone;sometimeswentinfreezingweatherwhenIwouldn’tgointoacoldbathforafiver;andsometimesshe’dstayundertheshowerfortenminutesatatime。\"
\"How’dyouknow？\"
\"Why，myroomwasnearthebath-room，andIcouldheartheshowerandtapgoing，andherflounderingabout。\"
\"Hearyourgrandmother！\"exclaimedMitchell，contemptuously。
\"Youdon’tknowwomenyet。Wasthiswomanmarried？Didshehaveahusbandthere？\"
\"No;shewasayoungwidow。\"
\"Ah！well，itwouldhavebeenthesameifshewasayounggirl——
oranoldone。Weretheresomepassablemen-boardersthere？\"
\"_I_wasthere。\"
\"Oh，yes！ButImean，werethereanytherebesideyou？\"
\"Oh，yes，therewerethreeorfour;therewas——aclerkanda————\"
\"Nevermind，aslongastherewassomethingwithtrouserson。
Diditeverstrikeyouthatshenevergotintothebathatall？\"
\"Why，no！Whatwouldshewanttogothereatallfor，inthatcase？\"
\"Tomakeanimpressiononthemen，\"repliedMitchellpromptly。
\"Shewantedtomakeoutshewasnice，andwholesome，andwell-washed，andparticular。MadeanimpressiononYOU，itseems，oryouwouldn’trememberit。\"
\"Well，yes，Isupposeso;and，nowIcometothinkofit，thebathdidn’tseemtoinjurehermake-uporwetherhair;
butIsupposedsheheldherheadfromundertheshowersomehow。\"
\"Didshemake-upsoearlyinthemorning？\"askedMitchell。
\"Yes——I’msure。\"
\"That’sunusual;butitmighthavebeensowheretherewasalotofboarders。
Andaboutthehair——thatdidn’tcountforanything，becausewashing-the-headain’tsupposedtobealwaysincludedinalady’sbath;it’sonlysupposedtobewashedonceafortnight，andsomedon’tdoitonceamonth。
Thehairtakessolongtodry;itdon’tmattersomuchifthewoman’sgotshort，scraggyhair;butifagirl’shairwasdowntoherwaistitwouldtakehourstodry。\"
\"Well，howdotheymanageitwithoutwettingtheirheads？\"
\"Oh，that’seasyenough。Theyhavealittleoilskincapthatfitstightovertheforehead，andtheyputiton，andbunchtheirhairupinitwhentheygoundertheshower。Didyoueverseeawomansitinasunnyplacewithherhairdownafterhavingawash？\"
\"Yes，IusedtoseeonedothatregularwhereIwasstaying;
butIthoughtsheonlydidittoshowoff。\"
\"Notatall——shewasdryingherhair;thoughperhapsshewasshowingoffatthesametime，forshewouldn’tsitwhereyou——orevenaChinaman——
couldseeher，ifshedidn’tthinkshehadagoodheadofhair。
Now，I’LLtellyouayarnaboutawoman’sbath。Iwasstoppingatashabby-genteelboarding-houseinMelbourneonce，andoneverycoldwinter，too;andtherewasarathergood-lookingwomanthere，lookingforahusband。Sheusedtogodowntothebatheverymorning，nomatterhowcolditwas，andflounderandsplashaboutasifsheenjoyedit，tillyou’dfeelasthoughyou’dliketogoandcatchholdofherandwrapherinarugandcarryherintothefireandnursehertillshewaswarmagain。\"
Mitchell’smatemoveduneasily，andcrossedtheotherleg;
heseemedgreatlyinterested。
\"Butsheneverwentintothewateratall！\"continuedMitchell。
\"Assoonasoneortwoofthemenwasupinthemorningshe’dcomedownfromherroominadressing-gown。Itwasatoneydressing-gown，too，andsetheroffproperly。Sheknewhowtodress，anyway;
mostofthatsortofwomendo。Thegownwasakindofgreencolour，withpinkandwhiteflowersalloverit，andredlining，andalotofcoffee-colouredlaceroundtheneckanddownthefront。
Well，she’dcometrippingdownstairsandalongthepassage，holdinguponesideofthegowntoshowherlittlebarewhitefootinaslipper;
andintheotherhandshecarriedhertooth-brushandbath-brush，andsoap——likethis——so’sweallcouldsee’em;tryingtomakeoutshewastooparticulartousesoapafteranyoneelse。
Shecouldaffordtobuyherownsoap，anyhow;itwashardlyeverwet。
\"Well，she’dgointothebathroomandturnonthetapandshower;
whenshegotaboutthreeinchesofwaterinthebath，she’dstepin，holdinguphergownoutofthewater，andgoslitheringandkickingupanddownthebath，likethis，makingatremendoussplashing。
Ofcourseshe’dturnofftheshowerfirst，andscrewitoffverytight——
wouldn’tdotoletthatleak，youknow;shemightgetwet;
butshe’dleavetheothertapon，soastomakeallthemorenoise。\"
\"Buthowdidyoucometoknowallaboutthis？\"
\"Oh，theservantgirltoldme。Onemorningshetwiggedherthroughacornerofthebathroomwindowthatthecurtaindidn’tcover。\"
\"Youseemtohavebeenprettythickwithservantgirls。\"
\"Sodoyouwithlandladies！Butnevermind——letmefinishtheyarn。
Whenshethoughtshe’dsplashedenough，she’dgetout，wipeherfeet，washherfaceandhands，andcarefullyunbuttonthetwotopbuttonsofhergown;
thenthrowatoweloverherheadandshoulders，andlistenatthedoortillshethoughtsheheardsomeofthemenmovingabout。
Thenshe’dstartforherroom，and，ifshemetoneofthemen-boardersinthepassageoronthestairs，she’ddrophereyes，andpretendtoseeforthefirsttimethatthetopofherdressing-gownwasn’tbuttoned——
andshe’dgivealittlestartandgrabthegownandscurryofftoherroombuttoningitup。