"Oh, by Jove!" said Bob suddenly. He looked at them, and finally at
Tommy, his eyes dancing.
"What's up, old man?" Jim asked. "Not your stepmother coming out?"
"England couldn't spare her," Bob said. "But the sky has fallen, for all
that. Just listen to old M'Clinton.
"'. . . It was with deep regret that I learned from you and from Mr.
Linton of the calamity which had befallen you on New Year's day. Such
disasters seem common in Australia, like blizzards in Canada, and I
presume every settler is liable to them. In your case your loss,
being partly covered by insurance, will not, Mr. Linton assures me,
be crushing, although it seems to me very severe. To have your initial
endeavours, too, handicapped by so calamitous an occurrence would have
excused despondency, but--'"
"Hasn't he a lovely style?" chuckled Wally, as the reader paused to turn
over.
"'But Mr. Linton assures me that you and your sister are facing the
situation with calmness and courage.' Did you know you were calmly
courageous, Tommy?"
"I am not," said Tommy. "I am courageously calm. Go on, Bobby--my
calmness will waver if you don't get to the point. Where does the sky
fall?"
"Half a second. 'Further, I am immensely interested to learn from Mr.
Linton, who appears to be the kindest of benefactors'--that's you,
sir--'that the people of the district, who have already helped you so
remarkably by a working bee, are so much in sympathy with you both that
they intend again lending you their assistance over rebuilding your
house.
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