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。
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