"I was just
goin' to settle to it when it come over me that you weren't in--and the
visitors there an' all."
"I'd come and have mine with you in the kitchen if they weren't there,"
Jim told her. "Tea in your kitchen is better than anything else." He
patted her shoulders as he left her at the door of her domain, going off
with long strides to wash his hands.
"We didn't wait for you," Norah said, as he came into the drawing-room;
a big cheery room, with long windows opening out upon the veranda, and a
conservatory at one end. A fire of red gum logs made it pleasantly
warm; the tea table was drawn near its blaze, and the arm-chairs made
a semicircle round it. "These poor people looked far too hungry to
wait--to say nothing of Wally and myself. How did the car go, Jimmy?"
"Splendidly," Jim said, taking his cup, and retiring from the tea-table
with a scone. "Never ran better; that man in Cunjee knows his job, which
I didn't expect. Are you tired, Tommy?"
"Tired?--no," said Tommy. "I was very hungry, but that is getting
better. And Norah is going to show me Billabong, so I could not possibly
dream of being tired."
"If Norah means to show you all Billabong before dark, she'll have
to hurry," said Jim lazily. "Don't you let yourself be persuaded into
anything so desperate, Tommy."
"Don't you worry; I'll give her graduated doses," Norah said. "I'll
watch the patient carefully, and see if there is any sign of strength
failing.
Pages:
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188