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。
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