Thesugar-bag，theonion-basket，thepotato-bagandthetea-chestbeganto\"godown\"alarmingly，andanoccasionalpoundofcandles，apigeon，amutton-bird（pluckedandreadyforSunday’scooking），andotherlittletrifleswent，also。Augustcouldn’tunderstandit，andtheteacherbelievedher，forfalsehoodanddeceitareforeigntothesimplenaturesofthemodernMaoris。Therewerenocats;
butnoscoreofordinarycatscouldhavegivencolourtothecattheory，haditbeenraisedinthiscase。ThebreathofAugustadvertisedonionsmorethanonce，butnohumanstomachcouldhaveaccountedforthequantity。
Shesurelycouldnothaveeatentheotherthingsraw——andshehadnoopportunitiesforprivatecooking，asfarastheteacherandhiswifecouldsee。TheotherMaoriswereoutofthequestion;
theywereallstrictlyhonest。
Theftsandannoyancesoftheabovedescriptionwerecreditedtothe\"swaggies\"
whoinfestedtheroads，andhadaverybadnamedownthatway;
sotheteacherloadedhisgun，andtoldAugusttorousehimatonce，ifsheheardasoundinthenight。Shesaidshewould;
butaheavy-weight\"swaggie\"couldhavecomeinandsatonherandhadasmokewithoutwakingher。
Shecouldn’tbetrustedtogoamessage。She’dtakefromthreetosixhours，andcomebackwithanexcusethatsoundedgenuinefromitsverysimplicity。
Anothersisterofherslayillinanisolatedhut，aloneanduncaredfor，exceptbytheteacher’swife，andoccasionallybyapoorpaoutcastwhohadnegrobloodinherveins，andaloveforawhiteloafer。
Godhelpher！Allofwhichsoundsstrange，consideringthatMaorisareverykindtoeachother。TheschoolmistresssentAugustonenighttostaywiththesickMaoriwomanandhelpherasshecould，andgaveherstrictinstructionstocometothecottagefirstthinginthemorning，andtellherhowthesickwomanwas。
Augustturnedupatlunch-timenextday。Theteachergaveherherfirstlecture，andsaidplainlythathewasn’ttobetakenforafool;
thenhesteppedasidetogetcool，and，whenhereturned，thegirlwassobbingasifherheartwouldbreak，andthewifecomfortingher。
Shehadbeenupallnight，poorgirl，andwasthoroughlywornout。
Somehowtheteacherdidn’tfeeluncomfortableaboutit。
Hewentdowntothewhare。Augusthadnottouchedadishclothorbroom。
Shehadslept，asshealwaysdid，likeapig，allnight，whilehersisterlayandtossedinagony;inthemorningsheateeverythingtherewastoeatinthehouse（which，itseemed，wastheMaoriwayofshowingsympathyinsicknessandtrouble），afterwhichshebroodedbythefiretillthechildren，runningoutofschool，announcedtheteacher’slunchhour。
Augustbracedupagainforalittlewhile。ThemasterthoughtofthetroubletheyhadwithAyacanorain\"WestwardHo\"，andwascomforted，andtackledhisromanceagain。Thentheschoolmistressfellsickandthingswentwrong。Thegrocerieswentdownfasterthanever，andthehousegotverydirty，andbegantohaveanativesmellaboutit。
Augustgrewfat，andlazy，anddirty，andlessreliableonwashing-days，orwhentherewasanythingspecialtodointhehouse。
\"Thesavagebloodisstrong，\"thoughttheteacher，\"andsheisbeginningtolongforherownpeopleandfreeunconventionallife。\"
Onemorning——onawashing-day，too，asithappened——shecalledout，beforetheteacherandhiswifewereup，thattheMaoriswhosuppliedthemwithmilkwereaway，andshehadpromisedtogoupandmilkthecowandbringthemilkdown。Theteachergaveherpermission。Oneofthescholarsusuallybroughtthemilkearly。
LunchtimecameandnoAugust，nomilk——strangestofall，onlyhalftheschoolchildren。Theteacherputonhishat，andwentuptothepaoncemore。HefoundAugustsquattedinthemidstofacircleofrelations。Shewasentertainingthemwithoneofaseriesofidealisticsketchesoftheteacher’sdomesticlife，inwhichsheshowedaveryvividimagination，andexhibitedanunaccountablesavagesortofpessimism。Herintervalsofabsencehadbeenoccupiedinthiswayfromthefirst。Theastoundingslandersshehadcirculatedconcerningtheteacher’sprivatelifecameback，bitbybit，tohisearsforayearafterwards，andhercharactersketchesofpreviousteachers，andherownrelations——forshesparednobody——wouldhaveearnedawhitewomanalongandwell-meritedtermofimprisonmentforcriminallibel。
Shehadcunningly，bystraightforwardandunscrupulouslying，prejudicedtheprincipalmotherandbosswomanofthepaagainsttheteacherandhiswife;asanaturalresultofwhichtheoldlady，who，liketherest，wasveryignorantandungrateful，\"turnednasty\"andkeptthechildrenfromschool。Theteacherlosthistemper，sothechildrenwereroundedupandhurrieddowntoschoolimmediately;withthemcameAugustandheraunt，withallegedexplanationsandexcuses，andashell-fish。
Theauntandsisterssaidthey’dhavenothingtodowithAugust。
Theydidn’twantherandwouldn’thaveher。Theteachersaidthat，underthosecircumstances，she’dbettergoanddrownherself;
soshewenthomewiththem。
Thewholebusinesshadbeenaplotbyhernearestrelations。
Theygotridofthetroubleandexpenseofkeepingher，andthebotherofborrowinginperson，wheneverinneedoftriflesinthegroceryline。Borrowingrecommencedwithherdismissal;
buttheteacherputafullstoptoit，asfarashewasconcerned。
ThenAugust，eggedonbyheraunt，sentablackguardlylettertotheteacher’swife;thesicksister，bytheway，whohadbeennursedandsuppliedwithfoodbyherallalong，wasinit，andsaidshewasgladAugustsenttheletter，anditservedtheschoolmistressright。
Theteacherwentuptothepaoncemore;anhourlater，Augustinperson，accompanied，asusual，byarelationortwo，deliveredatthecottageanabjectapologyinwriting，thecompositionofwhichwouldhavediscouragedthemostenthusiasticadvocateofhighereducationforthelowerclasses。
Thenvariouspettyannoyancesweretried。Theteacherisfirmlyconvincedthatcertainanimal-likesoundsroundthehouseatnightwereduetoAugust’stryingtofindoutwhetherhiswifewasaslikelytobehauntedastheMaoriswere。Hedidn’tdreamofsuchathingatthetime，forhedidnotbelievethatoneofthemhadtheplucktoventureoutafterdark。Butsavagesuperstitionmustgivewaytosavagehate。
Thegirl’slast\"try-on\"wastocomedowntotheschoolfence，andostentatiouslysharpenatable-knifeonthewires，whileshescowledmurderouslyinthedirectionoftheschoolmistress，whowashangingoutherwashing。Augustlooked，inherdark，bushy，Maorihair，athoroughlywildsavage。Herfatherhadmurderedhermotherunderparticularlybrutalcircumstances，andthedaughtertookafterherfather。
Theteachercalledherandsaid：\"Now，lookhere，mylady，thebestthingyoucandoistodropthatnonsenseatonce\"
（shehaddroppedtheknifeinthefernsbehindher），\"forwe’rethewrongsortofpeopletotryitonwith。
Nowyougetoutofthisandtellyouraunt——she’ssneakingthereintheflax——whatItellyou，andthatshe’dbetterclearoutofthisquick，orI’llhaveapolicemanoutandtakethewholegangintotowninanhour。
Nowbeoff，andshutthatgatebehindyou，carefully，andfastenit。\"
Shedid，andwent。
TheworstofitwasthattheAugustromancecopywasuseless。HerlieswereevenlessreliableandpicturesquethanthecommonJonesAlleyhaglie。
Thentheteacherthoughtofthesoftfoolhe’dbeen，andthatmadehimwild。
Helookedlikeafool，andwasonetoagreatextent，butitwasn’tgoodpolicytotakehimforone。
Strangetosay，heandothershadreasontobelievethatAugustrespectedhim，andlikedhimratherthanotherwise;butshehatedhiswife，whohadbeenkindtoher，asonlyasavagecanhate。Theyoungerpupilstoldtheteacher，cheerfullyandconfidently，thatAugustsaidshe’dcutMrs。Lorrens’throatthefirstchanceshegot。Nextweektheauntsentdowntoaskiftheteachercouldsellherabarofsoap，andsentthesameoldshilling;hewastiredofseeingitstuckoutinfrontofhim，sohetookit，putitinhispocket，andsentthesoap。
Thismusthavediscouragedthem，fortheborrowingindustrypeteredout。
Hesawtheauntlateron，andshetoldhim，cheerfully，thatAugustwasgoingtolivewithahalf-casteinacertainhouseintown。
PoorAugust！Forshewasonlyatoolafterall。Her\"romance\"
wasbrieflyasfollows：——Shewent，peroff-handMaoriarrangement，as`housekeeper’inthehutofalabourerataneighbouringsaw-mill。
Shestayedthreemonths，forawonder;attheexpirationofwhichtimesheputonherhatandexplainedthatshewastiredofstoppingthere，andwasgoinghome。Hesaid，`Allright，Sarah，waitawhileandI’lltakeyouhome。’Atthedoorofheraunt’shousehesaid，`Well，good-bye，Sarah，’andshesaid，inherbroodingway，`Good-bye，Jim。’
Andthatwasall。
AsthelastapparentresultofAugust’smischief-making，herbrotherorsomeoneoneeveningrodeuptothecottage，drunkandinclinedtobluster。Hewasaccompaniedbyafriend，alsodrunk，whocametoseethefun，andwasreadytousehisinfluenceonthewinningside。Theteacherwentinside，broughtouthisgun，andslippedtwocartridgesin。\"I’vehadenoughofthis，\"hesaid。
\"Nowthen，beoff，youinsolentblackguards，orI’llshootyoulikerabbits。
Go！\"andhesnappedhisjawandthebreechofhisguntogether。
Astheyrodeoff，theoldlocalhawkhappenedtosoarcloseoveradeadlambinthefernatthecornerofthegarden，andtheteacher，whohadbeen\"laying\"forhimalongtime，letflybothbarrelsathim，withoutthinking。Whenheturned，therewasonlyacloudofdustdownthetrack……
Theteachertaughtthatschoolforthreeyearsthereafter，withoutahitch。
ButhewentnomoreonUniversalBrotherhoodlines。And，foryearsafterhehadgone，hisnamewasspokenofwithgreatrespectbytheMaoris。
NewYear’sNightItwasdarkenoughforanythinginDeadMan’sGap——around，warm，closedarkness，inwhichretreatingsoundsseemedtobecutoffsuddenlyatadistanceofahundredyardsorso，insteadofgrowingfaintandfainter，anddyingaway，tostriketheearonceortwiceagain——andafterminutes，itmightseem——withstartlingdistinctness，beforebeingfinallylostinthedistance，asitisonclear，frostynights。
Sowiththesoundsofhorses’hoofs，stumblingontheroughbridle-trackthroughthe\"saddle\"，theclatterofhoof-clippedstonesandscrapeofgraveldownthehidden\"siding\"，andthelowsoundofmen’svoices，blurredandspeakinginmonosyllablesandatintervalsitseemed，andinhushed，awedtones，asthoughtheycarriedacorpse。
Topracticaleyes，grownusedtosuchadarkness，andatthenearestpoint，thepassingblurrswouldhavesuggestedtworidersonbushhacksleadingathirdwithanemptysaddleonitsback——alady’sor\"side-saddle\"，ifonecouldhavedistinguishedthehorns。Theymayhavestruckasofttrackorlevel，orroundedthebuttressofthehillhigherup，butbeforetheyhadtimetoreachorroundthefootofthespur，blurs，whispers，stumbleandclatterofhoofs，jingleofbridlerings，andtheoccasionalclanktogetherofstirrupirons，seemedshutoffassuddenlyandcompletelyasthoughagreatsound-proofdoorhadswungtobehindthem。
Itwasdarkenoughontheglaringestofdaysdowninthelonelyhollowor\"pocket\"，betweentwospurs，attheheadofablindgullybehindMountBuckaroo，wheretherewasamoreorlessdustypatch，barelydefinedeveninbroaddaylightbyaspiderydog-leggedfenceonthreesides，andathin\"two-rail\"（dignifiedwiththeadjective\"split-rail\"——thoughrailsandpostsweremostlyofsaplingssplitinhalves）runningalongthefrontage。Inaboutthemiddleofitalittleslabhut，overshadowedbyabigstringy-barkshed，waspointedoutasJohnnyMears’sFarm。
\"Blackas——ascharcoal，\"saidJohnnyMears。Hehadneverseencoal，andwasacautiousman，whoseideascameslowly。
Hestooped，closebythefence，withhishandsonhisknees，to\"sky\"theloomofhisbigshedandsogethisbearings。
Hehadbeentohavealookatthepennedcalves，andseethatallslip-railswereupandpegged，forthewordsofJohnMearsjunior，especiallywhendeliveredrapidlyandshrillyandininjuredtones，werenottoberelieduponinthesematters。
\"It’shotenoughtomeltthebellyoutofmyfiddle，\"saidJohnnyMearstohiswife，whosatonathree-leggedstoolbytheroughtableinthelittlewhitewashed\"end-room\"，puttingapatchofpatchesovertheseatofapairofmoleskinknickerbockers。Helithispipe，movedastooltothesideofthegreatemptyfireplace，whereitlookedcooler——mighthavebeencooleronaccountofapossibledraughtsuggestedbythepresenceofthechimney，andwhere，therefore，hefeltabreathcooler。Hetookhisfiddlefromaconvenientshelf，tuneditslowlyandcarefully，holdinghispipe（inhismouth）wellupandtooneside，asifthefiddlewereaninquisitiveandrestlessbaby。
Heplayed\"LittleDropso’Brandy\"threetimes，rightthrough，withoutvariations，blinkingsolemnlythewhile;thenheputtheviolincarefullybackinitsbox，andstartedtocutupanotherpipeful。
\"Youshouldhavegone，Johnny，\"saidthehaggardlittlewoman。
\"Rackin’thehorseoutanightlikethis，\"retortedJohnny，\"andstartin’ploughin’to-morrow。Itain’tworthwhile。
Letthemcomeformeiftheywantme。Danceonanightlikethis！
Why！they’lldancein————\"
\"Butyoupromised。Itwon’tdoyounogood，Johnny。\"
\"Itwon’tdomenoharm。\"
Thelittlewomanwentonstitching。
\"It’ssmotherin’hot，\"saidJohnny，withanimpatientoath。
\"Idon’tknowwhetherI’llturnin，orturnout，undertheshedto-night。
It’stood————dhottoroostindoors。\"
Shebentherheadloweroverthepatch。Onesmokedandtheotherstitchedinsilencefortwentyminutesorso，duringwhichtimeJohnnymightbesupposedtohavebeendeliberatinglistlesslyastowhetherhe’dcampoutonaccountoftheheat，orturnin。
Buthebrokethesilencewithacloutatamosquitoonthenapeofhisneck，andabadword。
\"Iwishyouwouldn’tswearsomuch，Johnny，\"shesaidwearily——
\"atleastnotto-night。\"
Helookedatherblankly。
\"Why——whyto-night？What’sthematterwithyouto-night，Mary？
What’sto-nightmorethananyothernighttoyou？Iseenoharm——
can’tamanswearwhenamosquitostickshim？\"
\"I——Iwasonlythinkingoftheboys，Johnny。\"
\"Theboys！Why，they’rebothonthehayintheshed。\"Hestaredatheragain，shifteduneasily，crossedtheotherlegtightly，frowned，blinked，andreachedforthematches。\"Youlookabitoff-colour，Mary。
It’stheheatthatmakesusallabitrattyattimes。
Betterputthatbyandhaveaswillo’oatmealandwater，andturnin。\"
\"It’stoohottogotobed。Icouldn’tsleep。I’mallright。
I’ll——I’lljustfinishthis。Justreachmeadrinkfromthewater-bag——
thepannikin’sonthehobthere，byyourboot。\"
Hescratchedhisheadhelplessly，andreachedforthedrink。
Whenhesatdownagain，hefeltstrangelyrestless。\"Likeahenthatdidn’tknowwheretolay，\"heputit。Hecouldn’tsettledownorkeepstill，anddidn’tseemtoenjoyhispipesomehow。Herubbedhisheadagain。
\"There’sathunderstormcomin’，\"hesaid。\"That’swhatitis;
andthesooneritcomesthebetter。\"
Hewenttothebackdoor，andstaredattheblacknesstotheeast，and，sureenough，lightningwasblinkingthere。
\"It’scoming，sureenough;justhangoutandkeepcoolforanotherhour，andyou’llfeelthedifference。\"
Hesatdownagainonthethree-leggedstool，foldedhisarms，withhiselbowsonhisknees，drewalongbreath，andblinkedattheclayfloorforawhile;
thenhetwistedthestoolroundononeleg，untilhefacedtheold-fashionedspiredwoodenclock（thebrassdiscofthependulummovingghost-likethroughascarredandscratchedmarinescene——MargateinEngland——ontheglassthatcoveredthelowerhalf）
thatstoodaloneontheslabshelfoverthefireplace。Thehandsindicatedhalf-pasttwo，andJohnny，whohadstudiedthatclockandcould\"hitthetimenighenoughbyit，\"afterknittinghisbrowsandblinkingatthedialforafullminutebyitsownhand，decided\"thatitmustbegettingontowardnineo’clock。\"
Itmusthavebeentheheat。Johnnystoodup，rakinghishair，turnedtothedoorandbackagain，andthen，afteranimpatientgesture，tookuphisfiddleandraisedittohisshoulder。
Thenthequeerthinghappened。Hesaidafterwards，underconditionsfavourabletosuchsentimentalconfidence，thatacoldhandseemedtotakeholdofthebow，throughhis，and——anyway，beforeheknewwhathewasabouthehadplayedthefirstbarsof\"WhenFirstIMetSweetPeggy\"，atunehehadplayedoften，twentyyearsbefore，inhiscourtingdays，andhadneverhappenedtoplaysince。Hesaweditrightthrough（thecoldhandleftafterthefirstbarortwo）standingup;
thenstillstoodwithfiddleandbowtremblinginhishands，withthequeerfeelingstillonhim，andarushofoldthoughtsgoingthroughhishead，allofwhichhesetdownafterwardstotheeffectoftheheat。Heputthefiddleawayhastily，damningthebridgeofitatthesametimeinloudbuthurriedtones，withtheideaofcoveringanyeccentricitywhichthewifemighthavenoticedinhisactions。\"Must’a’gotatoucho’sun，\"hemutteredtohimself。
Hesatdown，fumbledwithknife，pipe，andtobacco，andpresentlystoleafurtiveglanceoverhisshoulderathiswife。
Thewashed-outlittlewomanwasstillsewing，butstitchingblindly，forgreattearswererollingdownherworncheeks。
Johnny，white-facedonaccountoftheheat，stoodclosebehindher，onehandonhershoulderandtheotherclenchedonthetable;
buttheclenchedhandshookasbadlyasthelooseone。
\"GoodGod！Whatisthematter，Mary？You’resick！\"（Theyhadhadlittleornoexperienceofillness。）\"Tellme，Mary——comenow！
Hastheboysbeenuptoanything？\"
\"No，Johnny;it’snotthat。\"
\"Whatisitthen？You’retakensick！Whathaveyoubeendoingwithyourself？
Itmightbefever。Holdupaminute。YouwaitherequietwhileIroostouttheboysandsend’emforthedoctorandsomeone————\"
\"No！no！I’mnotsick，John。It’sonlyaturn。I’llbeallrightinaminute。\"
Heshiftedhishandtoherhead，whichshedroppedsuddenly，withalife-wearysigh，againsthisside。
\"Nowthen！\"criedJohnny，wildly，\"don’tyoufaintorgointodisterricks，Mary！It’llupsettheboys;thinkoftheboys！
It’sonlytheheat——you’reonlytakin’queer。\"
\"It’snotthat;yououghttoknowmebetterthanthat。Itwas——I——Johnny，Iwasonlythinking——we’vebeenmarriedtwentyyearsto-night——an’——it’sNewYear’sNight！\"
\"AndI’veneverthoughtofit！\"saidJohnny（intheafterwards）。
\"ShowswhataGod-forgottenselectionwillmakeofaman。
She’dthoughtofitallthetime，andwaswaitingforittostrikeme。
Why！I’dagreedtogoandplayatadarnceatOldPipeclaySchool-houseallnight——thatverynight——andleaveherathomebecauseshehadn’taskedtocome;anditneverstruckmetoaskher——athomebyherselfinthathole——fortwenty-fivebob。AndIonlystoppedathomebecauseI’dgotthehump，andknewthey’dwantmebadattheschool。\"
Theysatclosetogetheronthelongstoolbythetable，shyandawkwardatfirst;andsheclungtohimatopeningofthunder，andtheystartedapartguiltilywhenthefirstgreatdropssoundedlikefootstepsonthegraveloutside，justasthey’ddoneonenight-timebefore——twentyyearsbefore。
Ifitwasdarkbefore，itwasblacknow。Theedgeoftheawfulstorm-cloudrushedupandundertheoriginaldarknesslikethebest\"drop\"
black-brushedoverthecheap\"lamp\"variety，turningitgreybycontrast。
Thedelugelastedonlyaquarterofanhour;butitclearedthenight，anddiditswork。Therewashailbeforeit，too——bigasemueggs，theboyssaid——thatlayfeetdeepintheolddiggers’holesonPipeclayfordaysafterwards——weekssomesaid。
Thetwosweetheartsoftwentyyearsagoandto-nightwatchedtheretreatofthestorm，and，seeingMountBuckaroostandingclear，theywenttothebackdoor，whichopenedoppositetheendoftheshed，andsawtotheeastagloriousarchofsteel-blue，starrysky，withthedistantpeaksshowingclearandblueawaybackunderthefar-awaystarsinthedepthofit。
Theylingeredawhile——armsroundeachother’swaists——
beforeshecalledtheboys，justastheyhaddonethistimeofnighttwentyyearsago，aftertheboys’grandmotherhadcalledher。
\"Awlright，mother！\"bawledbacktheboys，withunfilialindependenceofAustralianyouth。\"We’reawlright！We’llbeindirectly！
Wasn’titapelterer，mother？\"
Theywentinandsatdownagain。Theembarrassmentbegantowearoff。
\"We’llgetoutofthis，Mary，\"saidJohnny。\"I’lltakeMason’sofferforthecattleandthings，andtakethatjobofDawson’s，bossornoboss\"
——（Johnny’sbadluckwasduetohisinabilityinthepastto\"geton\"withanybossforanyreasonablelengthoftime）——
\"Icangettheboyson，too。They’redoingnogoodhere，andgrowingup。Itain’tdoingjusticetothem;and，what’smore，thislifeiskillin’you，Mary。Thatsettlesit！Iwasblind。
Letthejumpt-upselectiongo！It’smakingawall-eyedbullockofme，Mary——
adry-rottedragofawall-eyedbullocklikeJimmyNowlett’soldStrawberry。
Andyou’llliveintownlikealady。\"
\"Somebodycoming！\"yelledtheboys。
Therewasaclatterofsliprailshurriedlythrowndown，andclippedbyhorses’hoofs。
\"Insoidethere！Isthatyou，Johnny？\"
\"Yes！\"（\"Iknewthey’dcomeforyou，\"saidMrs。MearstoJohnny。）
\"You’llhavetocome，Johnny。There’snogetoutofit。
Here’sJimMasonwithme，andwe’vegotorderstostunyouandpackyouifyoushowfight。TheblessedfiddlerfromMudgeedidn’tturnup。
DaveReganbursthisconcertina，andthey’reinafix。\"
\"ButIcan’tleavethemissus。\"
\"That’sallright。We’vegottheschoolmissus’smareandside-saddle。
Shesaysyououghttobejollywellashamedofyourself，JohnnyMears，fornotbringingyourwifeonNewYear’sNight。Andsoyouought！\"
Johnnydidnotlookshame-faced，forreasonsunknowntothem。
\"Theboyscouldn’tfindthehorses，\"putinMrs。Mears。
\"Johnnywasjustgoingdownthegullyagain。\"
Hegaveheragratefullook，andfeltastrange，newthrillofadmirationforhiswife。
\"And——there’sabottleofthebestputbyforyou，Johnny，\"
addedPatMcDurmer，mistakingJohnny’ssilence;\"andwe’llcallitthirtybob！\"（Johnny’sideaswerecomingslowlyagain，aftertherecentrush。）\"Or——twoquid！——thereyouare！\"
\"Idon’twanttwoquid，noroneeither，fortakingmywifetoadanceonNewYear’sNight！\"saidJohnnyMears。\"Runandputonyourbestbibandtucker，Mary。\"
Andshehurriedtodressaseagerandexcited，andsmilingtoherselfasgirlishlyasshehaddoneonsuchoccasionsoneveningsbeforethebrightNewYear’sNighttwentyyearsago。
——
Forarelatedstory，see\"ABushDance\"，in\"JoeWilsonandHisMates\"。
——A。L。，1998。
——
BlackJoeTheycalledhimBlackJoe，andmeWhiteJoe，bywayofdistinctionandfortheconvenienceofhisboss（myuncle），andmyaunt，andmother;
so，whenweheardthecryof\"Bla-a-ackJoe！\"（theadjectivedrawnoutuntilitbecameascreech，afterseveralrepetitions，andthe\"Joe\"shortandsharp）comingacrosstheflatinawoman’svoice，Joeknewthatthemissuswantedhimatthehouse，togetwoodorwater，ormindthebaby，andhekeptcarefullyoutofsight;hewentatoncewhenunclecalled。Andwhenweheardthecryof\"Wh-i-i-teJoe！\"whichwedidwithdifficultyandafterseveraltries——thoughBlackJoe’searswereofthekeenest——weknewthatIwasoverdueathome，orabsentwithoutleave，andwasprobablyinforawarming，astheoldfolkcalledit。OnsomeoccasionsIpostponedthewarmingaslongasmystomachheldout，whichwasagoodwhileinfive-corner，native-cherry，oryamseason——butthewarmingwasnonethecoolerforbeingpostponed。
SometimesJoeheardthewrongadjective，orledmetobelievehedid——
andleftmeforawholeafternoonundertheimpressionthattheraceofHamwasindemandatthehomestead，whenImyselfwaswantedthere，andmaternalwrathwasincreasingeverymomentofmyabsence。
ButJoeknewthatmyconsciencewasnotsoelasticashis，and——well，youmustexpectlittlethingslikethisinallfriendships。
BlackJoewassomewherebetweennineandtwelvewhenIfirstmethim，onavisittomyuncle’sstation;Iwassomewhereinthoseyearstoo。
Hewasveryblack，thedarkerforbeingengagedintheinterestingbutuncertainoccupationof\"burningoff\"inhissparetime——
whichwasn’tparticularlylimited。Hecombinedshepherding，’possumandkangaroohunting，crawfishing，sleeping，andvariousotheroccupationsandengagementswiththatofburningoff。
Iwasverywhite，beingasicklytownboy;but，asItookgreatinterestinburningoff，andwasnotparticularlyfondofcoldwater——itwasinwintertime——thedifferenceinourcomplexionswasnotsomarkedattimes。
BlackJoe’sfather，oldBlackJimmie，livedinagunyahontheriseatthebackofthesheepyards，andshepherdedformyuncle。
Hewasagentle，good-humoured，easy-goingoldfellowwithapleasantsmile;
whichdescriptionapplies，Ithink，tomostoldblackfellowsincivilisation。
Iwasverypartialtotheoldman，andchummywithhim，andusedtoslipawayfromthehomesteadwheneverIcould，andsquatbythecampfirealongwiththeotherpiccaninnies，andthink，andyarnsociallywithBlackJimmiebythehour。
Iwouldgivesomethingtorememberthoseconversationsnow。
Sometimessomebodywouldbesenttobringmehome，whenitgottoolate，andBlackJimmiewouldsay：
\"Piccaninniealongapossumrug，\"andthereI’dbe，soundasleep，withtheotheryoungAustralians。
IlikedBlackJimmieverymuch，andwouldwillinglyhaveadoptedhimasafather。Ishouldhavebeenquitecontenttospendmydaysinthescrub，enjoyinglifeindarkandsavageways，andmynights\"alongapossumrug\";
butthefamilyhadotherplansformyfuture。
Itwasacaseoftwoblackfellowsandonegin，whenBlackJimmiewenta-wooing——abouttwelveyearsbeforeImadehisacquaintance——andhefoughtforhisbrideintheblackfashion。Itwasthelastaffairofthatkindinthedistrict。Myuncle’sbrotherprofessedtohavebeenpresentatthefight，andgavemeanallegeddescriptionofit。
Hesaidthattheydrewlots，andBlackJimmieputhishandsonhiskneesandbenthishead，andtheotherblackfellowhithimawhackontheskullwithanullanulla。Thentheyhadanipofrumallround——
BlackJimmiemusthavewantedit，forthenullanullawasknotted，andheavy，andmadeinthemostapprovedfashion。Thentheotherblackfellowbenthishead，andJimmietooktheclubandreturnedthewhackwithinterest。
ThentheotherfellowhitJimmiealick，andtookacloutinreturn。
Thentheyhadanotherdrink，andcontinuedthusuntilJimmie’srivallostallheartandinterestinthebusiness。Butyoucouldn’ttakeeverythingmyuncle’sbrothersaidforgranted。
BlackMarywasaqueenbyright，andhadthereputationofbeingthecleanestgininthedistrict;shewasagreatfavouritewiththesquatters’wivesroundthere。PerhapsshehopedtoreclaimJimmie——hewasroyal，too，butheldeasyviewswithregardtoreligionandtheconventionalitiesofcivilisation。
Maryinsistedonbeingmarriedproperlybyaclergyman，madetheoldmanbuildadecenthut，hadallherchildrenchristened，andkepthimandthemcleanandtidyuptothetimeofherdeath。
PoorQueenMarywasambitious。Shestartedtoeducateherchildren，andwhentheygotbeyondher——thatiswhentheyhadlearnttheirletters——
shewasgratefulforanyassistancefromthegood-naturedbushmenandwomenofheracquaintance。Shehaddecidedtogethereldestboyintothemountedpolice，andhadplansfortherest，andsheworkedhardforthem，too。Jimmieofferednoopposition，andgavehernoassistancebeyondtherationsandmoneyheearnedshepherding——whichwasasmuchascouldbeexpectedofhim。
Hedidasmanyhusbandsdo\"forthesakeofpeaceandquietness\"——
hedriftedalonginthewakeofhiswife，andtookthingsaseasilyasherschemesofreformationandeducationwouldallowhimto。
QueenMarydiedbeforehertime，respectedbyallwhokneworhadheardofher。Thenearestsquatter’swifesentapairofsheetsforashroud，withinstructionstolayMaryout，andarranged（bybushtelegraph）
todriveovernextmorningwithhersister-in-lawandtwootherwhitewomeninthevicinity，toseeMarydecentlyburied。
ButtheremnantofJimmie’stribeweretherebeforehand。
TheytorethesheetsinstripsandtiedMaryupinabundle，withherchintoherknees——preparingherforburialintheirownfashion——
andmournedallnightinwhitewashandashes。Atleast，theginsdid。
Thewhitewomensawthatitwashopelesstoattempttountieanyoftheinnumerableknotsanddoubleknots，evenifithadbeenpossibletolayMaryoutafterwards;sotheyhadtoletherbeburiedasshewas，withblackandwhiteobsequies。Andwe’vegotnointerestinbelievingthatshedidnot\"jumpupwhitewoman\"longago。
Myuncleandhisbrothertookthetwoeldestboys。BlackJimmieshiftedawayfromthehutatoncewiththerestofhisfamily——forthe\"devil-devil\"satdownthere——andMary’snamewasstrictly\"tabooed\"inaccordancewithaboriginaletiquette。
Jimmiedriftedbacktowardsthegravesofhisfathersincompanywithadecreasingflockofsheepdaybyday（forthehouseofmyunclehadfallenontimesofdroughtanddepression，andfoot-rotandwoolrings，andover-draftsandbankowners），andafewstripsofbark，adyingfire，ablackpipe，somegreasy’possumrugsandblankets，alitterofkangarootails，etc。，fourneglectedpiccaninnies，halfascoreofmangymongrels，and，haply，a\"lillydrapo’rum\"，bynight。
ThefourlittleAustraliansgrewdirtierandmoreshyandsavage，andateunderdonekangarooand’possumandnativebear，withanoccasionaltreatofoakgrubsandgoannabypreference——
anddiedout，onebyone，asblacksdowhenbroughtwithintheeverwideningcircleofcivilisation。Jimmiemovedpromptlyaftereachdeath，andlefttheeviloneinpossession，andbuiltanothermia-mia——eachonebeinglesspretentiousthanthelast。
Finallyhewasleft，thelastofhistribe，tomournhislotinsolitude。
Butthedevil-devilcameandsatdownbyKingJimmie’ssideonenight，sohe，too，movedoutacrosstheOldManborder，andthemia-miarottedintothegroundandthegrassgrewthere……
IadmiredJoe;Ithoughthimwiserandclevererthananywhiteboyintheworld。Hecouldsmellout’possumsunerringly，andIfirmlybelievedhecouldseeyardsthroughthemuddiestofdamwater;
foronce，whenIdroppedmyboatin，andwasnotsureofthespot，hefisheditoutfirsttry。Withcottonreelsandbitsofstickandbarkhewouldmakethemodelofastationhomestead，slaughter-yards，sheep-yards，andallcomplete，workinginideasandimprovementsofhisownwhichmighthavebeenputintopracticewithadvantage。
Hewasamostoriginalandinterestingliaruponallsubjectsuponwhichhewasignorantandwhichcameupincidentally。
HegavemeaveryinterestingaccountofaninterviewbetweenhisfatherandQueenVictoria，andmentionedcasuallythathisfatherhadwalkedacrosstheThameswithoutgettingwet。
Healsotoldmehowhe，Joe，hadtiedamountedtroopertoaverandahpostandthrashedhimwithpinesaplingsuntilthetimbergaveoutandhewastired。IquestionedJimmie，buttheincidentsseemedtohaveescapedtheoldking’smemory。
Joecouldbuildbiggerwoodheapswithlesswoodthananyblackorwhitetramporloaferroundthere。Hewasabornarchitect。
Hetookaworldofpainswithhiswood-heaps——hebuiltthemhollow，intheshapeofabreak-wind，withtheconvexsidetowardsthehouseforthebenefitofhisemployers。Joewaseasy-going;hehadinheritedaloveofpeaceandquietnessfromhisfather。Unclegenerallycamehomeafterdark，andJoewouldhavelittlefireslitatsafedistancesallroundthehouse，inordertoconveyanimpressionthattheburningoffwasproceedingsatisfactorily。
Whenthewarmweathercame，JoeandIgotintotroublewithanoldhagforbathinginawaterholeinthecreekinfrontofhershanty，andsheimpoundedportionsofourwardrobe。Weshouldn’thavelostmuchifshehadtakenitall;butoursenseofinjurywasdeep，especiallyassheusedverybadgrammartowardsus。
Joeaddressedherfromthesafesideofthewater。Hesaid，\"Lookhere！
Oldleather-face，sugar-eye，plar-bagmarmy，Icallityou。\"
\"Plar-bagmarmy\"meant\"MotherFlour-bag\"，andrationsugarwasdecidedlymuddyinappearance。
Shecameroundthewaterholewithaclothesprop，andmadegoodtime，too;
butwegotacrossandawaywithourclothes。
Thatlittleincidentmighthavechangedthewholecourseofmyexistence。
Plar-bagMarmymadeaformalcomplainttouncle，whohappenedtopassthereonhorsebackaboutanhourlater;andthesameeveningJoe’slatestandmostcarefullyplannedwoodheapcollapsedwhileauntwaspullingastickoutofitinthedark，anditgaveherabadscare，theresultsofwhichmighthavebeenserious。
Sounclegaveusathrashing，withouttheslightestregardforracialdistinctions，andsentustobedwithoutoursuppers。
WesoughtJimmie’scamp，butJoegotneithersympathynordamperfromhisfather，andIwassenthomewithafatherlylecture\"forgoingalongathatfella，\"meaningJoe。
JoeandIdiscussedexistenceatawaterholedownthecreeknextafternoon，overabillyofcrawfishwhichwehadboiledandapieceofgrittydamper，anddecidedtoretirebeyondthesettleddistricts——somefivehundredmilesorso——toaplacethatJoesaidheknewof，wheretherewerelagoonsandbillabongstenmileswide，alivewithducksandfish，andblackcockatoosandkangaroosandwombats，thatonlywaitedtobeknockedoverwithastick。
IthoughtImightaswellstartandbeablackfellowatonce，sowegotarustypanwithoutahandle，andcookedaboutapintoffatyellowoak-grubs;
andIwasabouttofalltowhenwewerediscovered，andthefullweightofcombinedfamilyinfluencewasbroughttobearonthesituation。
Wehadbrokenanewpairofshearsdiggingoutthosegrubsfromunderthebarkoftheshe-oaks，andhadeachtakenabladeashisownespecialproperty，whichwethoughtwasthebestthingtodounderthecircumstances。Unclewantedthoseshearsbadly，sohereceiveduswiththebuggywhip——andhedidn’tdrawthecolourlineeither。
AllthatnightandnextdayIwishedhehad。Iwassenthome，andJoewentdrovingwithunclesoonafterthat，elseImighthavelivedalifeoffreedomandcontentanddiedoutpeacefullywiththelastofmyadoptedtribe。
Joediedofconsumptiononthetrack。Whenhewasdyinguncleasked：
\"Isthereanythingyouwouldlike？\"
AndJoesaid：\"I’dlikealillydrapo’rum，boss。\"
Whichwerehislastwords，forhedranktherumanddiedpeacefully。
Iwasthefirsttohearthenewsathome，and，beingstillayoungster，Irantothehouse，crying\"Oh，mother！aunt’sJoeisdead！\"
Therewerevisitorsatourplaceatthetime，and，astheeldestchildofthematernalauntinquestionhadalsobeenchristenedJoe——afteragrandfatherofourtribe（mytribe，notBlackJoe’s）——
thenewscausedasuddenandunpleasantsensation。Butcross-examinationexplainedthemistake，andIretiredtotherearofthepig-sty，aswasmycustomwhenthingswentwrong，withanothercauseforgrief。
TheyWaitontheWharfinBlack\"Seemstomethathonest，hard-workingmenseemtoaccumulatetheheaviestswagsoftroubleinthisworld。\"——Steelman。
ToldbyMitchell’sMate。
WewerecomingbackfromWestAustralia，steerage——Mitchell，theOracle，andI。Ihadgoneoversaloon，withafewpoundsinmypocket。
Mitchellsaidthiswasagreatmistake——IshouldhavegoneoversteeragewithnothingbuttheclothesIstooduprightin，andcomebacksaloonwithapile。Hesaiditwasaverycommonmistakethatmenmade，but，asfarashisexperiencewent，therealwaysseemedtobeadeep-rootedpopularprejudiceinfavourofgoingawayfromhomewithafewpoundsinone’spocketandcomingbackstumped;
atleastamongstroversandvagabondslikeourselves——itwasn’tsogenerallypopularoradmiredathome，orintheplaceswecamebackto，asitwasintheplaceswewentto。Anywayitwent，therewasn’ttheslightestdoubtthatournearestanddearestfriendswere，asarule，infavourofourtakingawayaslittleaswecouldpossiblymanagewith，andcomingbackwithapile，whetherwecamebacksaloonornot;
andthatoughttosettlethematterasfarasanychapthathadtheslightestconsiderationforhisfriendsorfamilywasconcerned。
Therewasagooddealofmisery，underneath，cominghomeinthatsteerage。
OnemanhadhadhishandcrushedandamputatedoutCoolgardieway，andthestumphadmortified，andhewasbeingsenttoMelbournebyhismates。
Somehadlosttheirmoney，someacoupleofyearsoftheirlife，sometheirsouls;butnoneseemedtohavelostthehearttocallupthequietgrinthatsouthernrovers，vagabonds，travellersfor\"graft\"orfortune，andprofessionalwandererswearinfrontofitall。Exceptoneman——anelderlyeasterndigger——
hehadlosthiswifeinSydneywhilehewasaway。
TheysenthimawiretotheBoulderSoak，orsomewhereoutbackofWhiteFeather，tosaythathiswifewasseriouslyill;
butthewirewentwrong，somehow，afterthemanneroftelegramsnotconnectedwithmining，onthelinesof\"theWestern\"。Theysenthimawiretosaythathiswifewasdead，andthatreachedhimallright——
onlyaweeklate。
Icanimagineit。Hegotthemessageatdinner-time，orwhentheycamebacktothecamp。Hismatewantedhimtositintheshade，orlieinthetent，whilehegotthebillyboiled。
\"Youmustbraceupandpullyourselftogether，Tom，forthesakeoftheyoungsters。\"AndTomforlongintervalsgoeswalkingupanddown，upanddown，bythecamp——underthebrassyskyorthegloaming——
underthebrilliantstar-clustersthathangoverthedesertplain，butneverraisinghiseyestothem;kickingatuftofgrassoraholeinthesandnowandthen，andseemingtowatchtheprogressofthetrackheistrampingout。Thewifeoftwentyyearswaswithhim——thoughtwothousandmilesaway——tillthatmessagecame。
IcanimagineTomesittingwithhismatesroundthebilly，theytalkinginquiet，subduedtonesaboutthetrack，thedepartureofcoaches，trainsandboats——arrangingforTom’sjourneyEast，andtheworkingoftheclaiminhisabsence。
OrTomlyingonhisbackinhisbunk，withhishandsunderhisheadandhiseyesfixedonthecalicoabove——thinking，thinking，thinking。
Thinking，withatouchofhisboyhood’sfaithperhaps;
orwonderingwhathehaddoneinhislong，hard-workingmarriedlife，thatGodshoulddothisthingtohimnow，ofalltimes。
\"You’dbesttakewhatmoneywehaveinthecamp，Tom;
you’llwantitallag’in’thetimeyougetbackfromSydney，andwecanfixituparterwards……There’sacoupleo’cleanshirtso’mine——you’dbesttake’em——you’llwant’emonthevoyage……
Youmightaswelltakethemtherenewpantso’mine，they’llonlydry-rotouthere——andthecoat，too，ifyoulike——it’stoosmallforme，anyway。
Youwon’thaveanytimeinPerth，andyou’llwantsomedecenttogstolandwithinSydney。\"……
\"Iwouldn’t’a’caredsomuchifI’d’a’seenthelastofher，\"hesaid，inaquiet，patientvoice，tousonenightbytherail。\"Iwould’a’likedtohaveseenthelastofher。\"
\"HaveyoubeenlongintheWest？\"
\"Overtwoyears。ImadeuptotakearunacrosslastChristmas，andhavealookat’em。ButIcouldn’tverywellgetawaywhen`exemption-time’came。Ididn’tliketoleavetheclaim。\"
\"Doanygoodoverthere？\"
\"Well，thingsbrightenedupabitthelastmonthortwo。
Ihadahardpullatfirst;landedwithoutapenny，andhadtosendbackeveryshillingIcouldrakeuptogetthingsstraightenedupabitathome。
Thentheeldestboyfellill，andthenthebaby。I’dreckonedonbringing’emovertoPerthorCoolgardiewhenthecoolweathercame，andhavingthemsomewheresnearme，whereIcouldgoandhavealookat’emnowandthen，andlookafterthem。\"
\"GoingbacktotheWestagain？\"
\"Oh，yes。Imustgoforthesakeoftheyoungsters。ButIdon’tseemtohavemuchheartinit。\"Hesmokedawhile。\"Overtwentyyearswestruggledalongtogether——themissusandme——anditseemshardthatIcouldn’tseethelastofher。It’sroughonaman。\"
\"Theworldisdamnedroughonamansometimes，\"saidMitchell，\"mostespeciallywhenheleastdeservesit。\"
Thediggercrossedhisarmsontheraillikeanold\"cocky\"atthefenceinthecooloftheevening，yarningwithanoldcrony。
\"Mor’ntwentyyearsshestucktomeandstruggledalongbymyside。
Shenevergivein。I’llswearshewasonherfeettillthelast，withhersleevestuckedup——bustlin’round……AndjustwhenthingswasbrighteningandIsawachanceofgivingherabitofarestandcomfortfortheendofherlife……
Ithoughtofitallonlyt’otherweekwhenthingswasclearingupahead;
andthelast`order’IsentoverIsettoworkandwroteheralongletter，puttingallthegoodnewsandencouragementIcouldthinkofintoit。
Ithoughthowthatletterwouldbrightenupthingsathome，andhowshe’dreaditround。Ithoughtoflotsofthingsthatamannevergetstimetothinkofwhilehisnoseiskepttothegrindstone。
Andshewasdeadandinhergrave，andIneverknowedit。\"
Mitchelldughiselbowintomyribsandmadesignsforthematchestolighthispipe。
\"An’yerneverknowed，\"reflectedtheOracle。
\"ButIalwayshadanideawhentherewastroubleathome，\"
thediggerwentonpresently，inhisquiet，patienttone。
\"Ialwaysknowed;Ialwayshadakindoffeelingthatway——Ifeltit——
nomatterhowfarIwasaway。WhentheyoungsterswassickIknowedit，andIexpectedtheletterthatcome。AboutafortnightagoIhadafeelingthatwaywhenthewifewasill。TheverystarsoutthereonthedesertbytheBoulderSoakseemedtosay：
`There’stroubleathome。Gohome。There’stroubleathome。’
ButIneverdreamedwhatthattroublewas。OnenightIdidmakeupmymindtostartinthemorning，butwhenthemorningcameIhadn’tanexcuse，andwasashamedtotellmymatesthetruth。TheymighthavethoughtIwasgoingratty，likeagoodmanygooutthere。\"Thenhebrokeoffwithasortoflaugh，asifitjuststruckhimthatwemightthinkhewasabitoffhishead，orthathistalkwasgettinguncomfortableforus。
\"Curious，ain’tit？\"hesaid。
\"RemindsmeofacaseIknowed，————\"commencedtheOracle，afterapause。
Icouldhavepitchedhimoverboard;butthatwasamistake。
Heandtheolddiggersatonthefor’ardhatchhalfthenightyarning，mostlyaboutqueerstarts，andrumgo’s，andcuriouscasestheOraclehadknowed，andIthinktheOracledidhimalotofgoodsomehow，forheseemedmorecheerfulinthemorning。
Wewereovercrowdedinthesteerage，butMitchellmanagedtogiveuphisberthtotheolddiggerwithoutlettinghimknowit。
Mostofthechapsseemedanxioustomakeaplaceatthefirsttableandpassthefirsthelpingsofthedishestothe\"oldcovethathadlosthismissus。\"
TheyallseemedtoforgethimasweenteredtheHeads;theyhadtheirowntroublestoattendto。Theywereintheshadowoftheshameofcomingbackhardup，andthegrinsbegantogrowfaintandsickly。
ButIdidn’tforgethim。IwishsometimesthatIdidn’ttakesomuchnoticeofthings。
Therewasnomistakingthem——thelittlegroupthatstoodapartneartheendofthewharf，dressedincheapblack。Therewastheeldestsinglesister——thin，pale，andhaggard-looking——
thathadhadallthehardworryinthefamilytillhertemperwasspoilt，asyoucouldseebythepeevish，irritablelinesinherface。
Shehadtobethemotherofthemallnow，andhadneverknown，perhaps，whatitwastobeagirlorasweetheart。Shegaveahard，mechanicalsortofsmilewhenshesawherfather，andthenstoodlookingattheboatinavacant，hopelesssortofway。Therewasthebaby，thathesawnowforthefirsttime，crowingandjumpingatthesightoftheboatcomingin;therewastheeldestboy，lookingawkwardandoutofplaceinhisnewslop-suitofblack，shiftingrounduneasily，andlookinganywherebutathisfather。
Butthelittlegirlwastheworst，andaprettylittlegirlshewas，too;
shenevertookherstreamingeyesoffherfather’sfacethewholetime。
Youcouldseethatherlittleheartwasbursting，andwithpityforhim。
Theyweretoofaraparttospeaktoeachotherasyet。Theboatseemedacruellonglongtimeswingingalongside——Iwishedthey’dhurryup。
He’dbroughthistrapsupearly，andlaid’emonthedeckundertherail;
hestoodveryquietwithhishandsbehindhim，lookingathischildren。
Hehadastrong，square，workman’sface，butIcouldseehischinandmouthquiveringunderthestubbly，iron-greybeard，andthelumpworkinginhisthroat;andonestronghandgrippedtheotherverytightbehind，buthiseyelidsneverquivered——
onlyhiseyesseemedtogrowmoreandmoresadandlonesome。
Thesearethesortoflong，cruelmomentswhenamansitsorstandsverytightandquietandcalm-looking，withhiswholepastlifegoingwhirlingthroughhisbrain，yearafteryear，andoverandoveragain。
Justasthediggerseemedabouttospeaktothemhemetthebrimmingeyesofhislittlegirlturneduptohisface。
Helookedatherforamoment，andthenturnedsuddenlyandwentbelowasifpretendingtogodownforhisthings。InoticedthatMitchell——whohadn’tseemedtobenoticinganythinginparticular——
followedhimdown。Whentheycameondeckagainwewererightalongside。
\"’Ello，Nell！\"saidthediggertotheeldestdaughter。
\"’Ello，father！\"shesaid，withasortofgasp，buttryingtosmile。
\"’Ello，Jack，howareyougettingon？\"
\"Allright，father，\"saidtheboy，brighteningup，andseeminggreatlyrelieved。
HelookeddownatthelittlegirlwithasmilethatIcan’tdescribe，butdidn’tspeaktoher。Shestillstoodwithquiveringchinandmouthandgreatbrimmingeyesupturned，fullofsuchpityasIneversawbeforeinachild-face——pityforhim。
\"Youcangetashorenow，\"saidMitchell;\"see，they’vegotthegangwayoutaft。\"
PresentlyIsawMitchellwiththeportmanteauinhishand，andthebabyonhisarm，steeringthemawaytoaquietcorneroftheshedatthetopofthewharf。Thediggerhadthelittlegirlinhisarms，andbothherswereroundhisneck，andherfacehiddenonhisshoulder。
WhenMitchellcameback，heleantontherailforawhilebymyside，asifitwasaboundaryfenceoutback，andtherewasnohurrytobreakupcampandmakeastart。
\"Whatdidyoufollowhimbelowthattimefor，Mitchell？\"Iaskedpresently，forwantofsomethingbettertosay。
Mitchelllookedatmeoutofthecornersofhiseyes。
\"Iwantedtoscoreadrink！\"hesaid。\"Ithoughthewantedoneandwouldn’tliketobeaJimmyWoodser。\"
SeeingtheLastofYou\"Whenyou’regoingawaybyboat，\"saidMitchell，\"yououghttosaygood-byetothewomenathome，andtothechapsatthelastpub。
Ihatewaitingonthewharforupondeckwhentheboat’sbehindtime。
There’snosenseinit，andalotofunnecessarymisery。
Yourfriendswaitonthewharfandyouarekeptattherailtothebitterend，justwhentheyandyoumostwantaspell。Andwhy？Someofthemhangoutbecausetheyloveyou，andwanttoseethelastofyou;somebecausetheydon’tlikeyoutoseethemgoingawaywithoutseeingthelastofyou;
andyouhangoutmostlybecauseitwouldhurt’emifyouwentbelowanddidn’tgivethemachanceofseeingthelastofyouallthetime——
andyoucursetheboatandwishtoGoditwouldstart。
Andthosewholoveyoumost——thewomen-folkofthefamily——
andwhoaremakingallthefussandbreakingtheirheartsabouthavingtoseethelastofyou，andleastwanttodoit——
theyhangoutthelongest，andarethemostdeterminedtoseeit。
Where’sthesenseinit？What’sthegoodofseeingthelastofyou？
Howdowomenmanagetogetconsolationoutofathinglikethat？
\"Butwomengetconsolationoutofqueerthingssometimes，\"
headdedreflectively，\"andsodomen。
\"IrememberwhenIwasknockingaboutthecoasts，anoldauntofminealwayspersistedincomingdowntoseethelastofme，andbringingthewholefamilytoo——nomatterifIwasonlygoingawayforamonth。Iwasherfavourite。Ialwaysturnedupagaininafewmonths;
butifI’dcomebackeverynextboatitwouldn’thavemadetheslightestdifferencetoher。She’dsaythatImightn’tcomebacksomeday，andthenshe’dneverforgiveherselfnorthefamilyfornotseeingmeoff。Isupposeshe’llseetheendofmeyetifsheliveslongenough——andshe’sawiryoldladyoftheoldschool。
Shewasold-fashionedanddressedlikeafright，theysaidathome。
Theyhatedbeingseeninpublicwithher;totellthetruth，Ifeltabitashamed，too，attimes。Iwouldn’tbe，now。
WhenI’dgetheroffontothewharfI’dbeovercomewithmyfeelings，andhavetoretiretotheprivacyofthebartohidemyemotionstilltheboatwasgoing。Andshe’dstandontheendofthepierandwaveherhandkerchiefandmopheroldeyeswithituntilshewasremovedbyforce。
\"Godblessheroldheart！Therewasn’tsomuchaffectionwastedonmeathomethatIfeltcrowdedbyhers;andIneverlostanythingbyherseeingthelastofme。
\"IdowishtheOraclewouldstopthatconfoundedfiddleofhis——
itmakesyouthinkoverdamnedoldthings。\"
TwoBoysatGrinderBrothers’
Fiveorsixhalf-grownlarrikinssatonthecementedsillofthebigwindowofGrinderBros。’RailwayCoachFactorywaitingfortheworkbell，andoneofthenumberwasBillAnderson——knownas\"CarstorHoil\"——
ayoungterroroffourteenorfifteen。
\"HerecomesBalmyArvie，\"exclaimedBillasapale，timid-lookinglittlefellowroundedthecornerandstoodagainstthewallbythedoor。\"How’syourparents，Balmy？\"
Theboymadenoanswer;heshrankclosertotheentrance。
Thefirstbellwent。
\"Whatyergotfordinner，Balmy？Bread’n’treacle？\"askedtheyoungruffian;
thenfortheedificationofhischumshesnatchedtheboy’sdinnerbagandemptieditscontentsonthepavement。
Thedooropened。Arviegathereduphislunch，tookhistime-ticket，andhurriedin。
\"Well，Balmy，\"saidoneofthesmithsashepassed，\"whatdoyouthinkoftheboatrace？\"
\"Ithink，\"saidtheboy，goadedtoreply，\"thatitwouldbebetterifyoungfellowsofthiscountrydidn’tthinksomuchaboutracin’an’fightin’。\"
Thequestionerstaredblanklyforamoment，thenlaughedsuddenlyintheboy’sface，andturnedaway。Therestgrinned。
\"Arvie’sgettingbalmierthanever，\"guffawedyoungBill。
\"Here，CarstorHoil，\"criedoneofthesmiths’strikers，\"howmuchoilwillyoutakeforachewofterbaccer？\"
\"Teaspoonful？\"
\"No，two。\"
\"Allright;let’sseethechew，first。\"
\"Oh，you’llgetit。Whatyerfrighten’of？……Comeon，chaps，’n’seeBilldrinkoil。\"
Billmeasuredoutsomemachineoilanddrankit。Hegotthetobacco，andtheothersgotwhattheycalled\"thefunofseein’Billdrinkoil！\"
Thesecondbellrang，andBillwentuptotheotherendoftheshop，whereArviewasalreadyatworksweepingshavingsfromunderabench。
Theyoungterrorseatedhimselfontheendofthisbench，drummedhisheelsagainsttheleg，andwhistled。Hewasinnohurry，forhisforemanhadnotyetarrived。HeamusedhimselfbylazilytossingchipsatArvie，whomadenoprotestforawhile。
\"Itwouldbe——better——forthiscountry，\"saidtheyoungterror，reflectivelyandabstractedly，cockinghiseyeatthewhitewashedroofbeamsandfeelingbehindhimonthebenchforaheavierchip——
\"itwouldbebetter——forthiscountry——ifyoungfellersdidn’tthinksomuchabout——about——racin’——ANDfightin’。\"
\"Youletmealone，\"saidArvie。
\"Why，what’llyoudo？\"exclaimedBill，bringinghiseyedownwithfeignedsurprise。Then，inanindignanttone，\"Idon’tmindtakin’afalloutofyer，now，ifyerlike。\"
Arviewentonwithhiswork。Billtossedallthechipswithinreach，andthensatcarelesslywatchingsomemenatwork，andwhistlingthe\"DeadMarch\"。Presentlyheasked：
\"What’syername，Balmy？\"
Noanswer。
\"Carn’tyeransweracivilquestion？I’dsoonknockthesulksoutofyerifIwasyerfather。\"
\"Myname’sArvie;youknowthat。\"
\"Arviewhat？\"
\"ArvieAspinall。\"
Billcockedhiseyeattheroofandthoughtawhileandwhistled;
thenhesaidsuddenly：
\"Say，Balmy，whered’yerlive？\"
\"Jones’Alley。\"
\"What？\"
\"Jones’Alley。\"
Ashort，lowwhistlefromBill。\"Whathouse？\"
\"NumberEight。\"
\"Garn！Whatyergiv’nus？\"
\"I’mtellingthetruth。What’stherefunnyaboutit？WhatdoIwanttotellyoualiefor？\"
\"Why，welivedthereonce，Balmy。Oldfolkslivin’？\"
\"Motheris;father’sdead。\"
Billscratchedthebackofhishead，protrudedhisunderlip，andreflected。
\"Isay，Arvie，whatdidyerfatherdieof？\"
\"Heartdisease。Hedroppeddowndeadathiswork。\"
Long，low，intensewhistlefromBill。Hewrinkledhisforeheadandstaredupatthebeamsasifheexpectedtoseesomethingunusualthere。
Afterawhilehesaid，veryimpressively：\"Sodidmine。\"
Thecoincidencehadn’tdonestrikinghimyet;hewrestledwithitfornearlyaminutelonger。Thenhesaid：
\"Isupposeyermothergoesoutwashin’？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"’N’cleansoffices？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Sodoesmine。Anybrothers’n’sisters？\"
\"Two——onebrother’n’onesister。\"
Billlookedrelieved——forsomereason。
\"Igotnine，\"hesaid。\"Yoursyounger’nyou？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Lotofbotherwiththelandlord？\"
\"Yes，agoodlot。\"
\"Hadanybailiffsinyet？\"
\"Yes，two。\"
Theycomparednotesawhilelonger，andtailedoffintoasilencewhichlastedthreeminutesandgrewawkwardtowardstheend。
Billfidgetedaboutonthebench，reachedroundforachip，butrecollectedhimself。Thenhecockedhiseyeattheroofoncemoreandwhistled，twirlingashavingroundhisfingersthewhile。
Atlasthetoretheshavingintwo，jerkeditimpatientlyfromhim，andsaidabruptly：
\"Lookhere，Arvie！I’msorryIknockedoveryerbarreryesterday。\"
\"Thankyou。\"
ThisknockedBilloutthefirstround。Herubbedrounduneasilyonthebench，fidgetedwiththevise，drummedhisfingers，whistled，andfinallythrusthishandsinhispocketsanddroppedonhisfeet。
\"Lookhere，Arvie！\"hesaidinlow，hurriedtones。\"Keepclosetomegoin’outto-night，’n’ifanyoftheotherchapstouchesyerorsaysanythingtoyerI’llhit’em！\"
Thenheswunghimselfroundthecornerofacarriage\"body\"andwasgone……
Arviewaslateoutoftheshopthatevening。Hisbosswasasub-contractorforthecoach-painting，andalwaystriedtofindtwentyminutes’workforhisboysjustaboutfiveortenminutesbeforethebellrang。
Heemployedboysbecausetheywerecheapandhehadalotofroughwork，andtheycouldgetunderfloorsand\"bogies\"withtheirpotsandbrushes，anddoallthe\"priming\"andpaintthetrucks。HisnamewasCollins，andtheboyswerecalled\"Collins’Babies\"。Itwasajokeintheshopthathehada\"weaning\"contract。Theboyswereall\"overfourteen\"，ofcourse，becauseoftheEducationAct。Somewerenineorten——wagesfromfiveshillingstotenshillings。Itdidn’tmattertoGrinderBrotherssolongasthecontractswerecompletedandthedividendspaid。
CollinspreachedintheparkeverySunday。Butthishasnothingtodowiththestory。
WhenArviecameoutitwasbeginningtorainandthehandshadallgoneexceptBill，whostoodwithhisbacktoaverandah-post，spittingwithveryfairsuccessattheraggedtoeofoneboot。Helookedup，noddedcarelesslyatArvie，andthenmadeadiveforapassinglorry，ontheendofwhichhedisappearedroundthenextcorner，unsuspectedbythedriver，whosatinfrontwithhispipeinhismouthandabagoverhisshoulders。
Arviestartedhomewithhisheartandmindprettyfull，andastronger，strangeraversiontoevergoingbacktotheshopagain。Thisnew，unexpected，andunsought-forfriendshipembarrassedthepoorlonelychild。
Itwasn’twelcome。
Butheneverwentback。Hegotwetgoinghome，andthatnighthewasadyingchild。Hehadbeenillallthetime，andCollinswasone\"baby\"shortnextday。
TheSelector’sDaughterI。
SherodeslowlydownthesteepsidingfromthemainroadtoatrackinthebedoftheLongGully，theoldgreyhorsepickinghiswayzig-zagfashion。Shewasaboutseventeen，slightinfigure，andhadaprettyfreckledfacewithapatheticallydroopingmouth，andbigsadbrowneyes。Sheworeafadedprintdress，withanoldblackridingskirtdrawnoverit，andherheadwashiddeninoneofthoseugly，old-fashionedwhitehoods，which，seenfromtherear，alwayssuggestanoldwoman。Shecarriedseveralparcelsofgroceriesstrappedtothefrontofthedilapidatedside-saddle。
Thetrackskirtedachainofrockywaterholesatthefootofthegully，andthegirlglancednervouslyattheseghastly，evil-lookingpoolsasshepassedthemby。Thesunhadset，asfarasLongGullywasconcerned。
Theoldhorsecarefullyfollowedaroughbridletrack，whichranupthegullynowononesideofthewatercourseandnowontheother;
thegullygrewdeeperanddarker，anditssullen，scrub-coveredsidesrosemoresteeplyasheprogressed。
Thegirlglancedroundfrequently，asthoughafraidofsomeonefollowingher。
Onceshedrewrein，andlistenedtosomebushsound。
\"Kangaroos，\"shemurmured;itwasonlykangaroos。Shecrossedadimmedlittleclearingwhereafarmhadbeen，andenteredathickscrubofboxandstringy-barksaplings。Suddenlywithaheavythud，thud，an\"oldman\"kangarooleaptthepathinfront，startlingthegirlfearfully，andwentupthesidingtowardsthepeak。
\"Oh，myGod！\"shegasped，withherhandonherheart。
Shewasverynervousthisevening;herheartwashurtnow，andsheheldherhandclosetoit，whiletearsstartedfromhereyesandglistenedinthelightofthemoon，whichwasrisingoverthegapahead。
\"Oh，ifIcouldonlygoawayfromthebush！\"shemoaned。
Theoldhorseploddedon，andnowandthenshookhishead——sadly，itseemed——asifheknewhertroublesandwassorry。
Shepassedanotherclearing，andpresentlycametoasmallhomesteadinastringy-barkhollowbelowagreatgapintheridges——\"Deadman’sGap\"。
Theplacewascalled\"Deadman’sHollow\"，andlookedlikeit。
The\"house\"——alow，two-roomedaffair，withskillions——
wasbuiltofhalf-roundslabsandstringy-bark，andwasnearlyallroof;
thebark，beingdarkenedfromrecentrain，gaveitadrearierappearancethanusual。
Abig，coarse-lookingyouthofabouttwentywasnailingagreenkangarooskintotheslabs;hewasoutoftemperbecausehehadbruisedhisthumb。
Thegirlunstrappedtheparcelsandcarriedthemin;
asshepassedherbrother，shesaid：
\"Takethesaddleoffforme，willyou，Jack？\"
\"Oh，carntyertakeitoffyerself？\"hesnarled;\"carntyerseeI’mbusy？\"
Shetookoffthesaddleandbridle，andcarriedthemintoashed，whereshehungthemonabeam。Thepatientoldhackshookhimselfwithanenergythatseemedill-advised，consideringhisageandcondition，andwentofftowardsthe\"dam\"。
Anoldwomansatinthemainroombesideafireplacewhichtookupalmosttheentireendofthehouse。Aplank-table，supportedonstakesdrivenintotheground，stoodinthemiddleoftheroom，andtwoslabbencheswerefixturesoneachside。Thefloorwasclay。
Allwascleanandpoverty-stricken;allthatcouldbewhitewashedwaswhite，andeverythingthatcouldbewashedwasscrubbed。Theslabshelveswerecoveredwithcleannewspapers，onwhichbrighttins，andpannikins，andfragmentsofcrockeryweresettothegreatestadvantage。Thewalls，however，weredisfiguredbyChristmassupplementsofillustratedjournals。
Thegirlcameinandsatdownwearilyonastooloppositetotheoldwoman。
\"Areyouanybetter，mother？\"sheasked。
\"Verylittle，Mary，verylittle。Haveyouseenyourfather？\"
\"No。\"
\"Iwonderwhereheis？\"
\"Youmightwonder。What’stheuseofworryingaboutit，mother？\"
\"Isupposehe’sdrinkingagain。\"
\"Mostlikely。Worryingyourselftodeathwon’thelpit！\"
Theoldwomansatandmoanedabouthertroubles，asoldwomendo。
Shehadplentytomoanabout。
\"IwonderwhereyourbrotherTomis？Wehaven’theardfromhimforayearnow。Hemustbeintroubleagain;somethingtellsmehemustbeintroubleagain。\"
Maryswungherhoodoffintoherlap。
\"Whydoyouworryaboutit，mother？What’stheuse？\"
\"IonlywishIknew。IonlywishIknew！\"
\"Whatgoodwouldthatdo？YouknowTomwentdrovingwithFredDunn，andFredwilllookafterhim;and，besides，Tom’soldernowandgotmoresense。\"
\"Oh，youdon’tcare——youdon’tcare！Youdon’tfeelit，butI’mhismother，and————\"
\"Oh，forGod’ssake，don’tstartthatagain，mother;ithurtsmemorethanyouthink。I’mhissister;I’vesufferedenough，Godknows！
Don’tmakemattersworsethantheyare！\"
\"Herecomesfather！\"shoutedoneofthechildrenoutside，\"’n’he’sbringinghomeasteer。\"
Theoldwomansatstill，andclaspedherhandsnervously。
Marytriedtolookcheerful，andmovedthesaucepanonthefire。
Abig，dark-beardedman，mountedonasmallhorse，wasseeninthetwilightdrivingasteertowardsthecow-yard。Aboyrantoletdowntheslip-rails。
PresentlyMaryandhermotherheardtheclatterofrailsletdownandputupagain，andaminutelateraheavysteplikethetreadofahorsewasheardoutside。Theselectorlumberedin，threwhishatinacorner，andsatdownbythetable。
Hiswiferoseandbustledroundwithsimulatedcheerfulness。
PresentlyMaryhazarded——
\"Wherehaveyoubeen，father？\"
\"Somewheers。\"
Therewasawretchedsilence，lastinguntiltheoldwomantookcouragetosaytimidly：
\"Soyou’vebroughtasteer，Wylie？\"
\"Yes！\"hesnapped;thetoneseemeddefiant。
Theoldwoman’shandstrembled，sothatshedroppedacup。
Maryturnedashadepaler。
\"Here，gitmesometea。GitmesomeTEA！\"shoutedMr。Wylie。