" They came in sight of Wally's heap of loot, and she
stopped in amazement.
"Bob--just look!"
"By Jupiter!" said Bob, "you saved my old box! You old brick. How did
you manage it? Why, it weighs a ton!"
Tommy was on her knees by the bundles. "Look!" she said. "Look, Bobby!
My silver things--and all Aunt Margaret's, and my little jewel box. And
my clothes! How did you do it, Wally?" Suddenly her voice broke. She put
her head down on the bundle in a passion of sobs.
"That's the best thing she could do," said David Linton gently. He
turned to Norah. "Let her cry--and bring her along presently, and we'll
take her home. Come along, boys, we'll get the horses and go and see
Wally's Noah's Ark."
CHAPTER XVI
BUILDING UP AGAIN
It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an
exquisite autumn evening. The orchard showed yellow and bronze against
the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered
down lazily upon the lawn. The garden flamed with dahlias and asters,
amidst which Hogg worked contentedly. And there was utter content upon
the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his
home, and looked towards the setting sun. Beyond the garden gleamed
the reed-fringed waters of the lagoon; further yet, the broad paddocks
stretched away, dotted with feeding Shorthorns. It was the view, of all
others, that he loved--his soul had longed for it during weary years of
exile and war.
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