Preface
　　Ofthestoriesinthisvolumemanyhavealreadyappearedin（variousperiodicals），whileseveralnowappearinprintforthefirsttime。
　　H。L。
　　Sydney，March17th，1900。
　　ContentsTheSongsTheyusedtoSingAVisionofSandyBlightAndyPage’sRivalTheIron-BarkChip"Middleton’sPeter"
　　TheMysteryofDaveReganMitchellonMatrimonyMitchellonWomenNoPlaceforaWomanMitchell’sJobsBill，theVentriloquialRoosterBushCatsMeetingOldMatesTwoLarrikinsMr。Smellingscheck"ARoughShed"
　　PayableGoldAnOversightofSteelman’sHowSteelmantoldhisStoryOntheTrackTheSongsTheyusedtoSingOnthediggingsuptotwentyoddyearsago——andasfarbackasIcanremember——onLambingFlat，thePipeClays，Gulgong，HomeRule，andsothroughtheroaringlist;inbarkhuts，tents，public-houses，slygrogshanties，and——well，themostgloriousvoiceofallbelongedtoabadgirl。Wewereonlychildrenanddidn’tknowwhyshewasbad，butweweren’tallowedtoplaynearorgonearthehutshelivedin，andweweretrainedtobelievefirmlythatsomethingawfulwouldhappentousifwestayedtoansweraword，anddidn’trunawayasfastasourlegscouldcarryus，ifsheattemptedtospeaktous。Wehadbeforeusthedreadexampleofoneurchin，whogotanawfulhidingandwentonbreadandwaterfortwenty-fourhoursforallowinghertokisshimandgivehimlollies。Shedidn’tlookbad——shelookedtouslikeagrandandbeautifullady-girl——
　　butwegotinstilledintoustheideathatshewasanawfulbadwoman，somethingmoreterribleeventhanadrunkenman，andonewhosepresencewastobefearedandfledfrom。Thereweretwoothergirlsinthehutwithher，alsoaprettylittlegirl，whocalledher"Auntie"，andwithwhomwewerenotallowedtoplay——fortheywereallbad;
　　whichpuzzledusasmuchaschild-mindscanbepuzzled。
　　Wecouldn’tmakeouthoweverybodyinonehousecouldbebad。
　　Weusedtowonderwhythesebadpeopleweren’thuntedawayorputingaoliftheyweresobad。Andanotherthingpuzzledus。Slippingoutafterdark，whenthebadgirlshappenedtobesingingintheirhouse，we’dsometimesrunagainstmenhangingroundthehutbyonesandtwosandthrees，listening。
　　Theyseemedmysterious。Theyweremostlygoodmen，andweconcludedtheywerelisteningandwatchingthebadwomen’shousetoseethattheydidn’tkillanyone，orstealandrunawaywithanybadlittleboys——ourselves，forinstance——whoranoutafterdark;
　　which，aswewereinformed，thosebadpeoplewerealwaysonthelookoutforachancetodo。
　　WeweretoldinafteryearsthatoldPeterMcKenzie（arespectable，married，hard-workingdigger）wouldsometimesstealupoppositethebaddoorinthedark，andthrowinmoneydoneupinapieceofpaper，andlistenrounduntilthebadgirlhadsungthe"BonnieHillsofScotland"
　　twoorthreetimes。Thenhe’dgoandgetdrunk，andstaydrunktwoorthreedaysatatime。Andhiswifecaughthimthrowingthemoneyinonenight，andtherewasaterriblerow，andshelefthim;andpeoplealwayssaiditwasallamistake。
　　Butwecouldn’tseethemistakethen。
　　ButIcanhearthatgirl’svoicethroughthenight，twentyyearsago：
　　Oh！thebloomin’heath，andthepalebluebell，InmybonnetthenIwore;
　　AndmemoryknowsnobrighterthemeThanthosehappydaysofyore。
　　Scotland！Landofchiefandsong！
　　Oh，whatcharmstotheebelong！
　　AndIamoldenoughtounderstandwhypoorPeterMcKenzie——whowasmarriedtoaSaxon，andaTartar——wentandgotdrunkwhenthebadgirlsang"TheBonnieHillsofScotland。"
　　HisanxiouseyemightlookinvainForsomelovedformitknew！……
　　Andyetanotherthingpuzzledusgreatlyatthetime。
　　Nextdoortothebadgirl’shousetherelivedaveryrespectablefamily——
　　afamilyofgoodgirlswithwhomwewereallowedtoplay，andfromwhomwegotlollies（thosehardoldred-and-white"fishlollies"
　　thatgrocerssenthomewithparcelsofgroceriesandreceiptedbills）。
　　Nowonewashingday，theybeingasgladtogetridofusathomeasweweretogetout，wewentovertothegoodhouseandfoundnooneathomeexceptthegrown-updaughter，whousedtosingforus，andread"RobinsonCrusoe"ofnights，"outloud"，andgiveusmorelolliesthananyoftherest——andwithwhomwewerepassionatelyinlove，notwithstandingthefactthatshewasengagedtoa"grown-upman"——
　　（wereckonedhe’dbedeadandoutofthewaybythetimewewereoldenoughtomarryher）。Shewaswashing。Shehadcarriedthestoolandtuboveragainstthestickfencewhichseparatedherhousefromthebadhouse;
　　and，toourastonishmentanddismay，thebadgirlhadbroughtHERtuboveragainsthersideofthefence。Theystoodandworkedwiththeirshoulderstothefencebetweenthem，andheadsbentdownclosetoit。
　　Thebadgirlwouldsingafewwords，andthegoodgirlafterher，overandoveragain。Theysangverylow，wethought。
　　Presentlythegoodgrown-upgirlturnedherheadandcaughtsightofus。
　　Shejumped，andherfacewentflamingred;shelaidholdofthestoolandcarriedit，tubandall，awayfromthatfenceinahurry。
　　Andthebadgrown-upgirltookhertubbacktoherhouse。
　　Thegoodgrown-upgirlmadeuspromisenevertotellwhatwesaw——thatshe’dbeentalkingtoabadgirl——elseshewouldnever，nevermarryus。
　　Shetoldme，inafteryears，whenshe’dgrownuptobeagrandmother，thatthebadgirlwassurreptitiouslyteachinghertosing"Madeline"
　　thatday。
　　Irememberadreadfulstoryofadiggerwhowentandshothimselfonenightafterhearingthatbadgirlsing。Wethoughtthenwhatafrightfullybadwomanshemustbe。Theincidentterrifiedus;andthereafterwekeptcarefullyandfearfullyoutofreachofhervoice，lestweshouldgoanddowhatthediggerdid……
　　IhaveadreamyrecollectionofacircusonGulgongintheroaringdays，morethantwentyyearsago，andawoman（tomychild-fancyabeingfromanotherworld）standinginthemiddleofthering，singing：
　　Outinthecoldworld——outinthestreet——
　　AskingapennyfromeachoneImeet;
　　CheerlessIwanderaboutalltheday，Wearingmyyounglifeinsorrowaway！
　　Thatlastlinehauntedmeformanyyears。Irememberbeingfrightenedbywomensobbing（andoneortwogreatgrown-updiggersalso）
　　thatnightinthatcircus。
　　"Father，DearFather，ComeHomewithMeNow"，wasasacredsongthen，notapegforvulgarparodiesandmorevulgar"business"
　　forfourth-rateclownsandcorner-men。Thentherewas"ThePrairieFlower"。
　　"OutonthePrairie，inanEarlyDay"——Icanhearthedigger’swifeyet：
　　shewastheprettiestgirlonthefield。Theymarriedontheslyandcreptintocampafterdark;butthediggersgotwindofitandrolledupwithgold-dishes，shovels，&c。，&c。，andgavethemarealgoodtinkettlingintheold-fashionedstyle，andanuggetortwotostarthousekeepingon。
　　Shehadaverysweetvoice。
　　Fairasalily，joyousandfree，Lightoftheprairiehomewasshe。
　　She’sa"granny"now，nodoubt——ordead。
　　AndIrememberapoor，brutallyill-usedlittlewife，wearingablackeyemostly，andsinging"LoveAmongsttheRoses"atherwork。
　　Andtheysangthe"BlueTailFly"，andallthefirstandbestcoonsongs——
　　inthedayswhenoldJohnBrownsankadufferonthehill……
　　ThegreatbarkkitchenofGrannyMathews’"RedclayInn"。
　　Afreshback-logthrownbehindthefire，whichlightstheroomfitfully。
　　Companysettleddowntopipes，subduedyarning，andreverie。
　　FlashJack——redsash，cabbage-treehatonbackofheadwithnothinginit，glossyblackcurlsbunchedupinfrontofbrim。FlashJackvolunteers，withoutinvitation，preparation，orwarning，andthroughhisnose：
　　Hoh！——
　　Therewasawildkerlonialyouth，JohnDowlinwashisname！
　　Hebountiedonhisparients，WholivedinCastlemaine！
　　andsoonto——
　　HetookapistolfromhisbreastAndwavedthatlit——tletoy——
　　"Littletoy"withanenthusiasticflourishandgreatunctiononFlashJack’spart——
　　"I’llfight，butIwon’tsurrender！"saidThewildKerlonialBoy。
　　Eventhisfailstorousethecompany’senthusiasm。"Giveusasong，Abe！
　　Giveusthe`Lowlands’！"AbeMathews，beardedandgrizzled，islyingonthebroadofhisbackonabench，withhishandsclaspedunderhishead——
　　hisfavouritepositionforsmoking，reverie，yarning，orsinging。
　　Hehadastrong，deepvoice，whichusedtothrillmethroughandthrough，fromhairtotoenails，asachild。
　　TheybotherAbetillhetakeshispipeoutofhismouthandputsitbehindhisheadontheendofthestool：
　　TheshipwasbuiltinGlasgow;
　　’Twasthe"GoldenVanitee"——
　　Lineshavedroppedoutofmymemoryduringthethirtyyearsgonebetween——
　　AndsheploughedintheLowLands，Low！
　　Thepublic-housepeopleandmorediggersdropintothekitchen，asalldowithinhearing，whenAbesings。
　　"Nowthen，boys：
　　AndsheploughedintheLowLands，Low！
　　"Now，alltogether！
　　TheLowLands！TheLowLands！
　　AndsheploughedintheLowLands，Low！"
　　Toeandheelandflatoffootbegintostamptheclayfloor，andhornyhandstoslappatchedkneesinaccompaniment。
　　"Oh！saveme，lads！"hecried，"I’mdriftingwiththecurrent，AndI’mdriftingwiththetide！
　　AndI’msinkingintheLowLands，Low！
　　TheLowLands！TheLowLands！"——
　　Theoldbarkkitchenisa-goingnow。Heelsdrummingongin-casesunderstools;hands，knuckles，pipe-bowls，andpannikinskeepingtimeonthetable。
　　Andwesewedhiminhishammock，Andweslippedhimo’ertheside，AndwesunkhimintheLowLands，Low！
　　TheLowLands！TheLowLands！
　　AndwesunkhimintheLowLands，Low！
　　OldBoozerSmith——adirtygin-soddenbundleofragsonthefloorinthecornerwithitsheadonacandlebox，andcoveredbyahorserug——
　　oldBoozerSmithissupposedtohavebeendeadtotheuniverseforhourspast，butthechorusmusthavedisturbedhistorpor;
　　for，withasuddennessandunexpectednessthatmakesthenextmanjump，therecomesabellowfromunderthehorserug：
　　Wotthough！——Iwear！——arag！——gedcoat！
　　I’llwearitlikeaman！
　　andceasesassuddenlyasitcommenced。Hestrugglestobringhisruinedheadandbloatedfaceabovethesurface，glaresround;
　　then，noonequestioninghismanhood，hesinksbackanddiestocreation;
　　andsubsequentproceedingsareonlyinterruptedbyasnore，asfarasheisconcerned。
　　LittleJimmyNowlett，thebullock-driver，isinspired。"Goon，Jimmy！
　　Giveusasong！"
　　InthedayswhenwewerehardupForwantofwoodandwire——
　　Jimmyalwaysblunders;itshouldhavebeen"foodandfire"——
　　WeusedtotieourbootsupWithlit——tlebits——erwire;
　　and——
　　I’msittinginmylit——tleroom，Itmeasuressixbysix;
　　Thework-housewallisopposite，I’vecountedallthebricks！
　　"Giveusachorus，Jimmy！"
　　Jimmydoes，givinghisheadashort，jerkynodfornearlyeveryword，anddescribingacircleroundhiscrown——asifhewerestirringapintofhottea——withhisforefinger，attheendofeveryline：
　　Hall！——Round！——Me——Hat！
　　Iworeaweepin’willer！
　　JimmyisaCockney。
　　"Nowthen，boys！"
　　Hall——round——mehat！
　　Howmanyolddiggersrememberit？
　　And：
　　Abutcher，andabaker，andaquiet-lookingquaker，Alla-courtingprettyJessieattheRailwayBar。
　　Iusedtowonderasachildwhatthe"railwaybar"meant。
　　And：
　　Iwould，Iwould，IwouldinvainThatIweresingleonceagain！
　　Butah，alas，thatwillnotbeTillapplesgrowonthewillowtree。
　　Adrunkengambler’syoungwifeusedtosingthatsong——toherself。
　　Astiratthekitchendoor，andacryof"Pinter，"andoldPoynton，Ballaratdigger，appearsandisshovedin;hehasseveraldrinksaboard，andtheyproceedto"gitPinteronthesingin’lay，"
　　andatlasttalkhimround。Hehasagoodvoice，butno"theory"，andblundersworsethanJimmyNowlettwiththewords。
　　Hestartswithahowl——
　　Hoh！
　　WaydowninCoventGar-ar-r-dingsA-strollingIdidgo，Toseethesweetestflow-ow-wersThate’eringardingsgrow。
　　Hesawtheroseandlily——theredandwhiteandblue——
　　andhesawthesweetestflow-ow-ersthate’eringardingsgrew;
　　forhesawtwolovelymaidens（Pintercalls’em"virgings"）
　　underneath（hemusthavemeantontopof）"agardingchair"，singsPinter。
　　AndonewaslovelyJessie，Withthejetblackeyesandhair，roarsPinter，Andtheotherwasavir-ir-ging，Isolemn-lyedeclare！
　　"Maiden，Pinter！"interjectsMr。Nowlett。
　　"Well，it’sallthesame，"retortsPinter。"AmaidenISavirging，Jimmy。
　　Ifyou’resinging，Jimmy，andnotme，I’llleaveoff！"
　　Chorusof"Order！Shutup，Jimmy！"
　　Iquicklyestep-peduptoher，Anduntoherdidsa-a-y：
　　Doyoubelongtoanyyoungman，Hoh，tellmethat，Ipra-a-y？
　　Heranswer，accordingtoPinter，wassurprisinglypromptandunconventional;
　　alsofullandconcise：
　　No;Ibelongtonoyoungman——
　　Isolemnlyedeclare！
　　ImeantoliveavirgingAndstillmylaurelswear！
　　JimmyNowlettattemptstomoveanamendmentinfavourof"maiden"，butispromptlysuppressed。ItseemsthatPinter’ssuithasahappytermination，forheissupposedtosinginthecharacterofa"SailorBold"，andasheturnstopursuehisstrollin"CoventGar-ar-dings"：
　　"Oh，no！Oh，no！Oh，no！"shecried，"IloveaSailorBold！"
　　"Hong-kore，Pinter！Giveusthe`GoldenGlove’，Pinter！"
　　Thuswarmedup，Pinterstartswithanexplanatory"spoken"
　　totheeffectthatthesongheisabouttosingillustratessomeofthelittlewaysofwoman，andhow，nomatterwhatyousayordo，sheisboundtohaveherownwayintheend;alsohow，inoneinstance，shesetaboutgettingit。
　　Hoh！
　　Now，it’sofayoungsquoirenearTimworthdiddwell，Whocourtedanobleman’sdaughtersowell——
　　Thesonghaslittleornothingtodowiththe"squire"，exceptsofaras"allfriendsandrelationshadgivenconsent，"and——
　　Thetroo-soowasordered——appointedtheday，Andafarmerwereappointedfortogiveheraway——
　　whichlastseemedamostunusualproceeding，consideringtheweddingwasatoneyaffair;butperhapstherewerepersonalinterests——
　　thenoblemanmighthavebeenhardup，andthefarmerbackinghim。
　　Buttherewasanextraordinarysceneinthechurch，andthingsgotmixed。
　　Forassoonasthismaidingthisfarmerespied：
　　"Hoh，myheart！Hoh，myheart！
　　Hoh，myheart！"thenshecried。
　　Hysterics？Anyway，insteadofbeingwed——
　　Thismaidentooksickandshewenttoherbed。
　　（N。B。——Pintersticksto`virging’。）
　　Whereuponfriendsandrelationsandguestsleftthehouseinabody（astrangebutperhapsawiseproceeding，afterall——maybetheysmeltarat）
　　andlefthertorecoveralone，whichshedidpromptly。Andthen：
　　Shirt，breeches，andwaistcoatthismaidingputon，Anda-huntingshewentwithherdogandhergun;
　　Shehuntedallroundwherethisfarmierdiddwell，Becauseinherownheartshelove-edhimwell。
　　Thecat’soutofthebagnow：
　　Andoftenshefired，butnogameshekilled——
　　whichwasnotsurprising——
　　Tillatlasttheyoungfarmiercameintothefield——
　　Nowonder。Sheputittohimstraight：
　　"Oh，whyareyounotatthewedding？"shecried，"Fortowaitonthesquoire，andtogivehimhisbride。"
　　HewasaspromptandasdelightfullyunconventionalinhisreplyastheyoungladyinCoventGardings：
　　"Oh，no！andoh，no！ForthetruthImustsa-a-y，Ilovehertoowellfortogivehera-w-a-a-y！"
　　whichwassatisfactorytothedisguised"virging"。
　　"……andI’dtakeswordinhand，AndbyhonourI’dwinherifshewouldcommand。"
　　Whichwasstillmoresatisfactory。
　　Nowthisvirging，being——
　　（JimmyNowlett："Maiden，Pinter——"Jimisthrownonastoolandsatonbyseveraldiggers。）
　　Nowthismaiding，beingplease-edtoseehimsobold，Shegavehimherglovethatwasfloweredwithgold，andexplainedthatshefounditinhisfieldwhilehuntingaroundwithherdogandhergun。Itisunderstoodthathepromisedtolookuptheowner。Thenshewenthomeandputanadvertisementinthelocal`Herald’;andthatad。musthavecausedconsiderablesensation。
　　Shestatedthatshehadlosthergoldenglove，andTheyoungmanthatfindsitandbringsittome，Hoh！thatveryyoungmanmyhusbandshallbe！
　　Shehadasavingclauseincasetheyoungfarmermislaidtheglovebeforehesawthead。，andanOLDblokegotholtofitandfetcheditalong。
　　Buteverythingwentallright。Theyoungfarmerturnedupwiththeglove。
　　Hewasaveryrespectableyoungfarmer，andexpressedhisgratitudetoherforhaving"honour-edhimwithherlove。"Theyweremarried，andthesongendswithapictureoftheyoungfarmeressmilkingthecow，andtheyoungfarmergoingwhistlingtoplough。ThefactthattheylivedandgraftedontheselectionprovesthatIhittherightnailontheheadwhenIguessed，inthefirstplace，thattheoldnoblemanwas"stony"。
　　Inafteryears，……shetoldhimofthefun，Howshehuntedhimupwithherdogandhergun。
　　Butwhetherhewaspleasedorotherwisetohearit，afteryearsofmatrimonialexperiences，theoldsongdoesn’tsay，foritendsthere。
　　FlashJackismoresuccessfulwith"SaintPatrick’sDay"。
　　Icometotheriver，Ijumpeditquiteclever！
　　Mewifetumbledin，andIlostherforever，St。Patrick’sowndayinthemornin’！
　　ThisisgreatlyappreciatedbyJimmyNowlett，whoissuspected，especiallybyhiswife，ofbeingmorecheerfulwhenontheroadsthanwhenathome……
　　"SamHolt"wasagreatfavouritewithJimmyNowlettinafteryears。
　　Oh，doyourememberBlackAlice，SamHolt？
　　BlackAlicesodirtyanddark——
　　Who’danoseonherface——Iforgethowitgoes——
　　AndteethlikeaMoretonBayshark。
　　SamHoltmusthavebeenveryhardupfortuckeraswellasbeautythen，forDoyourememberthe’possumsandgrubsShebakedforyoudownbythecreek？
　　SamHoltwas，apparently，ahardenedflashJack。
　　Youwerenotquitethecleanlypotato，SamHolt。
　　Referenceismadetohis"mannerofholdingaflush"，andheisaskedtorememberseveralthingswhichhe，nodoubt，wouldratherforget，including……thehidingyougotfromtheboys。
　　Thesongisdecidedlypersonal。
　　ButSamHoltmakesapileandgoeshome，leavingmanyabetterandworsemantopadthehoofOutBack。And——JimNowlettsangthiswithsomuchfeelingastomakeitappearapersonalaffairbetweenhimandtheabsentHolt——
　　And，don’tyourememberthefiver，SamHolt，Youborrowedsocarelessandfree？
　　IreckonI’llwhistleagoodmanytunes（withincreasingfeeling）
　　Ereyouthinkofthatfiverandme。
　　ForthechanceswillbethatSamHolt’soldmateWillbehumpinghisdrumontheHughendenRoadTotheendofthechapteroffate……
　　Anechofrom"TheOldBarkHut"，sungintheoppositioncampacrossthegully：
　　Youmayleavethedoorajar，butifyoukeepitshut，There’snoneedofsuffocationintheOuldBarrkHut……
　　Thetucker’sinthegin-case，butyou’dbetterkeepitshut——
　　FortheflieswillcantherrounditintheOuldBarkHut。
　　However：
　　What’soutofsightisoutofmind，intheOuldBarkHut……
　　WewashedourgreasymoleskinsOnthebanksoftheCondamine。——
　　Somebodytacklingthe"OldBullockDray";itmustbeoverfiftyversesnow。
　　Isawabushmanatacountrydancestarttosingthatsong;
　　he’dgetuptotenorfifteenverses，breakdown，andstartafresh。
　　Atlasthesatdownonhisheeltoit，inthecentreoftheclearfloor，restinghiswristonhisknee，andkeepingtimewithanindexfinger。
　　Itwasveryfunny，butthethingwastakenseriouslyallthrough。
　　IrreverentechofromtheoldLambingFlattrouble，fromcampacrossthegully：
　　RuleBritannia！Britanniarulesthewaves！
　　NomoreChinamenwillenterNooSouthWales！
　　andYankeeDoodlecametotownOnalittlepony——
　　Stickafeatherinhiscap，AndcallhimMaccaroni！
　　Allthecampsseemtobesingingto-night：
　　Ringthebell，watchman！
　　Ring！Ring！Ring！
　　Ring，forthegoodnewsIsnowonthewing！
　　Goodlines，theintroduction：
　　Highonthebelfrytheoldsextonstands，Graspingtheropewithhisthinbonyhands！……
　　Bon-firesareblazingthroughouttheland……
　　Gloriousandblessedtidings！Ring！Ringthebell！……
　　GrannyMathewsfailstocoaxhernieceintothekitchen，butpersuadeshertosinginside。Sheisthegirlwholearnt`subrosa’
　　fromthebadgirlwhosang"Madeline"。Suchashavethemoninstinctivelytaketheirhatsoff。Diggers，&c。，strollingpast，haltatthefirstnotesofthegirl’svoice，andstandlikestatuesinthemoonlight：
　　Shallwegatherattheriver，Wherebrightangelfeethavetrod？
　　Thebeautiful——thebeautifulriverThatflowsbythethroneofGod！——
　　Diggerswantedtosendthatgirl"Home"，butGrannyMathewshadtheold-fashionedhorrorofanyofherchildrenbecoming"public"——
　　Gatherwiththesaintsattheriver，ThatflowsbythethroneofGod！……
　　Butitgrowslate，orrather，early。The"Eyetalians"gobyinthefrostymoonlight，fromtheirlastshiftintheclaim（foritisSaturdaynight），singingalitany。
　　"Getupononeend，Abe！——standupall！"Handsareclaspedacrossthekitchentable。Redclay，oneofthelastofthealluvialfields，haspeteredout，andtheRoaringDaysaredying……Thegrandoldsongthatisknownallovertheworld;yethowmanyintenthousandknowmorethanoneverseandthechorus？LetPeterMcKenzielead：
　　Shouldauldacquaintancebeforgot，Andneverbroughttomin’？
　　Andheartsechofromfarbackinthepastandacrosswide，wideseas：
　　Shouldauldacquaintancebeforgot，Anddayso’langsyne？
　　Nowboys！alltogether！
　　Forauldlangsyne，mydear，Forauldlangsyne，We’lltak’acupo’kindnessyet，Forauldlangsyne。
　　Wetwahaerunaboutthebraes，Andpu’dthegowansfine;
　　Butwe’vewanderedmonyawearyfoot，Sin’auldlangsyne。
　　Theworldwaswidethen。
　　Wetwahaepaidl’ti’theburn，Fraemornin’suntilldine：
　　thelogfireseemstogrowwatery，forinwide，lonelyAustralia——
　　Butseasbetweenusbraidhaeroar’d，Sin’auldlangsyne。
　　Thekitchengrowsdimmer，andtheformsofthedigger-singersseemedsuddenlyvagueandunsubstantial，fadingbackrapidlythroughamistyveil。Butthewordsringstronganddefiantthroughhardyears：
　　Andhere’sahand，mytrustyfrien’，Andgie’sagrupo’thine;
　　Andwe’lltak’acupo’kindnessyet，Forauldlangsyne……
　　AndthenettleshavebeengrowingforovertwentyyearsonthespotwhereGrannyMathews’bigbarkkitchenstood。
　　AVisionofSandyBlightI’dbeenhumpingmyback，andcrouchingandgroaningforanhourorsointhedarkestcornerofthetravellers’hut，torturedbythedemonofsandyblight。Itwastoohottotravel，andtherewasnoonethereexceptourselvesandMitchell’scattlepup。
　　Wewerewaitingtillaftersundown，forIcouldn’thavetravelledinthedaylight，anyway。Mitchellhadtiedawettowelroundmyeyes，andledmeforthelastmileortwobyanothertowel——
　　oneendfastenedtohisbeltbehind，andtheotherinmyhandasIwalkedinhistracks。Andoh！butthiswasarelief！
　　Itwasoutofthedustandglare，andthefliesdidn’tcomeintothedarkhut，andIcouldhumpandstickmykneesinmyeyesandgroanincomfort。
　　Ididn’twantathousandayear，oranything;Ionlywantedreliefformyeyes——thatwasallIprayedforinthisworld。Whenthesungotdownabit，Mitchellstartedpokinground，andpresentlyhefoundamongsttherubbishadirty-lookingmedicinebottle，corkedtight;whenherubbedthedirtoffapieceofnotepaperthatwaspastedon，hesaw"eye-water"writtenonit。
　　Hedrewthecorkwithhisteeth，smeltthewater，stuckhislittlefingerin，turnedthebottleupsidedown，tastedthetopofhisfinger，andreckonedthestuffwasallright。
　　"Here！Wakeup，Joe！"heshouted。"Here’sabottleoftears。"
　　"Abottlerwot？"Igroaned。
　　"Eye-water，"saidMitchell。
　　"Areyousureit’sallright？"Ididn’twanttobepoisonedorhavemyeyesburntoutbymistake;perhapssomeburningacidhadgotintothatbottle，orthelabelhadbeenputon，orlefton，inmistakeorcarelessness。
　　"Idunno，"saidMitchell，"butthere’snoharmintryin’。"
　　Ichancedit。Ilaydownonmybackinabunk，andMitchelldraggedmylidsupandspilthalfabottleofeye-waterovermyeye-balls。
　　Thereliefwasalmostinstantaneous。Ineverexperiencedsuchaquickcureinmylife。Icarriedthebottleinmyswagforalongtimeafterwards，withanideaofgettingitanalysed，butleftitbehindatlastinacamp。
　　Mitchellscratchedhisheadthoughtfully，andwatchedmeforawhile。
　　"IthinkI’llwaitabitlonger，"hesaidatlast，"andifitdoesn’tblindyouI’llputsomeinmyeyes。I’mgettingatouchofblightmyselfnow。
　　That’sthefaultoftravellingwithamatewho’salwayscatchingsomethingthat’snogoodtohim。"
　　Asitgrewdarkoutsidewetalkedofsandy-blightandfly-bite，andsand-fliesupnorth，andordinaryflies，andbranchedofftoBarcoorot，andstruckthetrackagainatbeesandbeestings。Whenwegottobees，Mitchellsatsmokingforawhileandlookingdreamilybackwardsalongtracksandbranchtracks，androundcornersandcircleshehadtravelled，rightbacktotheshort，narrow，innocentbitoftrackthatendsinavague，mistypoint——liketheendofalong，straight，clearedroadinthemoonlight——asfarbackaswecanremember……
　　"Ihadaboutfourteenhives，"saidMitchell——"weusedtocallthem`swarms’，nomatterwhethertheywereflyingorinthebox——whenIlefthomefirsttime。Ikeptthembehindtheshed，intheshade，ontablesofgalvanisedironcasesturneddownonstakes;
　　butIhadtomakelegslateron，andstandtheminpansofwater，onaccountoftheants。Whenthebeesswarmed——andsomehivessentouttheLordknowshowmanyswarmsinayear，itseemedtome——
　　we’dtin-kettle’em，andthrowwateron’em，tomake’embelievethebiggestthunderstormwascomingtodrowntheoldestinhabitant;
　　and，iftheydidn’tgetthestartofusandrise，they’dsettleonabranch——
　　generallyononeofthescraggyfruittrees。Itwasroughonthebees——
　　cometothinkofit;theirinstincttoldthemitwasgoingtobefine，andthenoiseandwatertoldthemitwasraining。Theymusthavethoughtthatnaturewasmad，drunk，orgoneratty，ortheendoftheworldhadcome。
　　We’drigupatable，withaboxupsidedown，underthebranch，coverourfacewithapieceofmosquitonet，haveragsburninground，andthengivethebranchasuddenjerk，turntheboxdown，andrun。Ifwegotmostofthebeesin，therestthatwerehangingtotheboughorflyingroundwouldfollow，andthenwereckonedwe’dshookthequeenin。
　　Ifthebeesintheboxcameoutandjoinedtheothers，we’dreckonwehadn’tshookthequeenin，andgoforthemagain。
　　Whenahivewasfullofhoneywe’dturntheboxupsidedown，turntheemptyboxmouthdownontopofit，anddrumandhammeronthelowerboxwithasticktillallthebeeswentupintothetopbox。
　　Isupposeitmadetheirheadsache，andtheywentuponthataccount。
　　"Isupposethingsaredonedifferentlyonproperbee-farms。
　　I’veheardthatabee-farmerwillpartahangingswarmwithhisfingers，takeoutthequeenbeeandarrangematterswithher;butourwayssuitedus，andtherewasalotofexpectationandrunningandexcitementinit，especiallywhenaswarmtookusbysurprise。Theyellof`Beesswarmin’！’
　　wasasgoodtousastheyellof`Fight！’isnow，or`Bolt！’intown，or`Fire’or`Manoverboard！’atsea。
　　"Therewastonsofhoney。Thebeesusedtogotothevineyardsatwine-makingandgethoneyfromtheheapsofcrushedgrape-skinsthrownoutinthesun，andgetsodrunksometimesthattheywobbledintheirbee-lineshome。
　　They’dfillalltheboxes，andthenbuildinbetweenandunderthebark，andboard，andtincovers。Theyneverseemedtogettheideaoutoftheirheadsthatthiswasn’tanevergreencountry，anditwasn’tgoingtosnowallwinter。MyyoungerbrotherJoeusedtoputpiecesofmeatonthetablesneartheboxes，andinfrontoftheholeswherethebeeswentinandout，forthedogstograbat。Butoneolddog，`BlackBill’，wasamatchforhim;
　　ifitwasworthBill’swhile，he’dcampthere，andkeepJoeandtheotherdogsfromtouchingthemeat——onceitwasputdown——tillthebeesturnedinforthenight。AndJoewouldgettheotherkidsroundthere，andwhentheyweren’tlookingorthinking，he’dbrushthebeeswithastickandrun。
　　I’dlamhimwhenIcaughthimatit。Hewasanawfulyoungdevil，wasJoe，andhegrewupsteady，andrespectable，andrespected——andIwenttothebad。Inevertrustagoodboynow……Ah，well！
　　"Irememberthefirstswarmwegot。We’dbeentalkingofgettingafewswarmsforalongtime。ThatwaswhatwasthematterwithusEnglishandIrishandEnglish-IrishAustralianfarmers：
　　weusedtotalksomuchaboutdoingthingswhiletheGermansandScotchdidthem。Andweeventalkedinalazy，easy-goingsortofway。
　　"Well，oneblazinghotdayIsawfathercomingalongtheroad，hometodinner（wehaditinthemiddleoftheday），withhisaxeoverhisshoulder。
　　Inoticedtheaxeparticularlybecausefatherwasbringingithometogrind，andJoeandIhadtoturnthestone;but，whenInoticedJoedraggingalonghomeinthedustaboutfiftyyardsbehindfather，Ifelteasierinmymind。SuddenlyfatherdroppedtheaxeandstartedtorunbackalongtheroadtowardsJoe，who，assoonashesawfathercoming，shiedforthefenceandgotthrough。Hethoughthewasgoingtocatchitforsomethinghe’ddone——orhadn’tdone。Joeusedtodosomanythingsandleavesomanythingsnotdonethathecouldneverbesureoffather。
　　Besides，fatherhadawayofstartingtohammerusunexpectedly——
　　whentheideastruckhim。Butfatherpulledhimselfupinaboutthirtyyardsandstartedtograbuphandfulsofdustandsandandthrowthemintotheair。
　　Myidea，inthefirstflash，wastogetholdoftheaxe，forIthoughtitwassun-stroke，andfathermighttakeitintohisheadtostartchoppingupthefamilybeforeIcouldpersuadehimtoputit（hishead，Imean）
　　inabucketofwater。ButJoecamerunninglikemad，yelling：
　　"`Swarmer——bees！Swawmmer——bee——ee——es！Bring——a——tin——dish——
　　and——a——dippera——wa-a-ter！’
　　"Iranwithabucketofwaterandanoldfrying-pan，andprettysoontherestofthefamilywereonthespot，throwingdustandwater，andbangingeverything，tinoriron，theycouldgetholdof。
　　Theonlybullockbellinthedistrict（ifitwasinthedistrict）
　　wasontheoldpoleycow，andshe’dbeenlostforafortnight。
　　Motherbroughtuptherear——butsoonworkedtothefront——
　　withabaking-dishandabigspoon。Theoldlady——shewasn’toldthen——
　　hadadeep-rootedprejudicethatshecoulddoeverythingbetterthananybodyelse，andthattheselectionandallonitwouldgotothedogsifshewasn’ttheretolookafterit。
　　Therewasnojoltingthatideaoutofher。Shenotonlybelievedthatshecoulddoanythingbetterthananybody，andherswastheonlyrightorpossibleway，andthatwe’ddoeverythingupsidedownifshewasn’ttheretodoitorshowushow——butshe’dtrytodothingsherselforinsistonmakingusdothemherway，andthatledtomessesandrows。Shewasexcitednow，andtookcommandatonce。Shewasn’ttongue-tied，andhadnoimpedimentinherspeech。
　　"`Don’tthrowupdust！——Stopthrowingupdust！——
　　Doyouwanttosmother’em？——Don’tthrowupsomuchwater！——
　　Onlythrowupapannikinatatime！——D’yerwanttodrown’em？
　　Bang！Keeponbanging，Joe！——Lookatthatchild！Run，someone！——run！
　　you，Jack！——D’yerwantthechildtobestungtodeath？——
　　Takeherinside！……Dy’hearme？……Stopthrowingupdust，Tom！
　　（Tofather。）You’rescaring’emaway！Can’tyouseetheywanttosettle？’
　　[Fatherwasgettingmadandyelping：`ForGodsakeshettupandgoinside。’]
　　`Throwupwater，Jack！Throwup——Tom！Takethatbucketfromhimanddon’tmakesuchafoolofyourselfbeforethechildren！
　　Throwupwater！Throw——keeponbanging，children！Keeponbanging！’
　　[Motherputherfaithinbanging。]`There！——they’reoff！You’velost’em！
　　Iknewyouwould！Itoldyer——keeponbang——！’
　　"Abeestruckherintheeye，andshegrabbedatit！
　　"Motherwenthome——andinside。
　　"Fatherwasgoodatbees——couldmanagethemlikesheepwhenhegottoknowtheirideas。Whentheswarmsettled，hesentusfortheoldwashingstool，boxes，bags，andsoon;andthewholetimehewasfixingthebeesInoticedthatwheneverhisbackwasturnedtoushisshoulderswouldjerkupasifhewascold，andheseemedtoshudderfrominside，andnowandthenI’dhearagruntingsortofwhimperlikeaboythatwasjuststartingtoblubber。Butfatherwasn’tweeping，andbeesweren’tstinginghim;
　　itwasthebeethatstungmotherthatwasticklingfather。Whenhewentintothehouse，mother’sothereyehadbungedforsympathy。Fatherwasalwaysgentleandkindinsickness，andhebathedmother’seyesandrubbedmudon，buteverynowandthenhe’dcatchinside，andjerkandshudder，andgruntandcough。Mothergotwild，butpresentlythehumourofitstruckher，andshehadtolaugh，andarumlaughitwas，withbotheyesbungedup。Thenshegothysterical，andstartedtocry，andfatherputhisarmroundhershoulderandorderedusoutofthehouse。
　　"Theywereveryfondofeachother，theoldpeoplewere，underitall——
　　rightuptotheend……Ah，well！"
　　Mitchellpulledtheswagsoutofabunk，andstartedtofastenthenose-bagson。
　　AndyPage’sRivalTallandfreckledandsandy，Faceofacountrylout;
　　ThatwasthepictureofAndy——
　　Middleton’srouseabout。
　　OnMiddleton’swidedominionsPliedthestock-whipandshears;
　　Hadn’tanyopinions——————
　　Andhehadn’tany"ideers"——atleast，hesaidsohimself——
　　exceptasregardedanythingthatlookedtohimlikewhathecalled"funnybusiness"，underwhichheadinghecataloguedtyranny，treachery，interferencewiththelibertyofthesubjectbythesubject，"blanky"lies，orswindles——allthings，inshort，thatseemedtohisslowunderstandingdishonest，meanorpaltry;
　　mostespecially，andaboveall，treacherytoamate。
　　THAThecouldneverforget。Andywasuncomfortably"straight"。
　　Hismindworkedslowlyandhisdecisionswere，asarule，rightandjust;
　　andwhenheoncecametoaconclusionconcerninganymanormatter，ordecideduponacourseofaction，nothingshortofanearthquakeoraNevertirecyclonecouldmovehimbackaninch——unlessaconvictionwereseverelyshaken，andthenhewouldrequireasmuchtimeto"back"tohisstartingpointashedidtocometothedecision。
　　Andyhadcometoaconclusionwithregardtoaselector’sdaughter——name，LizziePorter——wholived（andslaved）onherfather’sselection，nearthetownshipcorneroftherunonwhichAndywasageneral"hand"。
　　Hehadbeeninthehabitforseveralyearsofcallingcasuallyattheselector’shouse，asherodetoandfrobetweenthestationandthetown，togetadrinkofwaterandexchangethetimeofdaywitholdPorterandhis"missus"。Theconversationconcernedthedrought，andthelikelihoodorotherwiseoftheirevergoingtogetalittlerain;
　　oraboutPorter’scattle，withanoccasionalenquiryconcerning，orreferenceto，astraycowbelongingtotheselection，butpreferringtherun;alittle，plump，saucy，whitecow，by-the-way，practicallypurewhite，butreferredtobyAndy——whohadeyeslikeablackfellow——as"oldSpeckledy"。Nooneelsecoulddetectaspotorspeckleonheratacasualglance。
　　Thenafteralongbovinesilence，whichwouldhavebeenpainfullyembarrassinginanyothersociety，andatiltingofhiscabbage-treehatforward，whichcameofticklingandscratchingthesun-blotchednapeofhisneckwithhislittlefinger，Andywouldslowlysay："Ah，well。Imustbegettin’。
　　So-long，Mr。Porter。So-long，Mrs。Porter。"And，ifSHEwereinevidence——asshegenerallywasonsuchoccasions——"So-long，Lizzie。"
　　Andthey’dshout："So-long，Andy，"ashegallopedofffromthejump。
　　Strangethatthoseshy，quiet，gentle-voicedbushmenseemthehardestandmostrecklessriders。
　　ButoflatehishorsehadbeenseenhangingupoutsidePorter’sforanhourorsoaftersunset。Hesmoked，talkedovertheresultsofthelastdrought（ifithappenedtorain），andthepossibilitiesofthenextone，andplayedcardswitholdPorter;
　　whotooktowinking，automatically，athis"oldwoman"，andnudging，andjerkinghisthumbinthedirectionofLizziewhenherbackwasturned，andAndywasscratchingthenapeofhisneckandstaringatthecards。
　　Lizzietoldaladyfriendofmine，yearsafterwards，howAndypoppedthequestion;tolditinherquietway——youknowLizzie’squietway（somethingoftheold，privilegedhouse-catabouther）;
　　neverasigninexpressionortonetoshowwhethersheherselfsaworappreciatedthehumourofanythingshewastelling，nomatterhowcomicalitmightbe。Shehadwitnessedtwotragedies，andhadfoundadeadmaninthebush，andrelatedtheincidentsasthoughtheywerecommon-place。
　　Ithappenedoneday——afterAndyhadbeencomingtwoorthreetimesaweekforaboutayear——thatshefoundherselfsittingwithhimonalogofthewoodheap，inthecooloftheevening，enjoyingthesunsetbreeze。Andy’sarmhadgotroundher——
　　justasitmighthavegoneroundaposthehappenedtobeleaningagainst。
　　Theyhadn’tbeentalkingaboutanythinginparticular。Andysaidhewouldn’tbesurprisediftheyhadathunderstormbeforemornin’——
　　ithadbeensosmotherin’hotallday。
　　Lizziesaid，"Verylikely。"
　　Andysmokedagoodwhile，thenhesaid："Ah，well！It’sawearyworld。"
　　Lizziedidn’tsayanything。
　　By-and-byeAndysaid："Ah，well;it’salonelyworld，Lizzie。"
　　"Doyoufeellonely，Andy？"askedLizzie，afterawhile。
　　"Yes，Lizzie;Ido。"
　　Lizzieletherselfsettle，alittle，againsthim，withouteitherseemingtonoticeit，andafteranotherwhileshesaid，softly：
　　"SodoI，Andy。"
　　Andyknockedtheashesfromhispipeveryslowlyanddeliberately，andputitaway;thenheseemedtobrightensuddenly，andsaidbriskly：
　　"Well，Lizzie！Areyousatisfied！"
　　"Yes，Andy;I’msatisfied。"
　　"Quitesure，now？"
　　"Yes;I’mquitesure，Andy。I’mperfectlysatisfied。"
　　"Well，then，Lizzie——it’ssettled！"……
　　Butto-day——acoupleofmonthsaftertheproposaldescribedabove——
　　Andyhadtroubleonhismind，andthetroublewasconnectedwithLizziePorter。Hewasputtingupatwo-railfencealongtheoldlog-paddockonthefrontage，andworkinglikeamanintrouble，tryingtoworkitoffhismind;andevidentlynotsucceeding——
　　forthelasttwopanelswereoutofline。Hewasrammingapost——
　　Andyrammedhonestly，fromthebottomofthehole，notthelastfewshovelfulsbelowthesurface，assomedo。Hewasrammingthelastlayerofclaywhenacloudofwhitedustcamealongtheroad，paused，anddriftedorpouredoffintothescrub，leavinglongDaveBentley，thehorse-breaker，onhislastvictim。
　　"’Ello，Andy！Graftin’？"
　　"Iwanttospeaktoyou，Dave，"saidAndy，inastrangevoice。
　　"All——allright！"saidDave，ratherpuzzled。Hegotdown，wonderingwhatwasup，andhunghishorsetothelastpostbutone。
　　DavewasAndy’soppositeinonerespect：hejumpedtoconclusions，aswomendo;but，unlikewomen，hewasmostlywrong。HewasanoldchumandmateofAndy’swhohadalwaysliked，admired，andtrustedhim。
　　Butnow，tohishelplesssurprise，Andywentonscrapingtheearthfromthesurfacewithhislong-handledshovel，andheapingitconscientiouslyroundthebuttofthepost，hisfacelikeablockofwood，andhislipssetgrimly。Davebrokeoutfirst（withbushoaths）：
　　"What’sthematterwithyou？Spititout！WhathaveIbeendoin’toyou？
　　What’syergotyerragoutabout，anyway？"
　　Andyfacedhimsuddenly，withhatredfor"funnybusiness"
　　flashinginhiseyes。
　　"WhatdidyousaytomysisterMaryaboutLizziePorter？"
　　Davestarted;thenhewhistledlongandlow。"Spititallout，Andy！"
　　headvised。
　　"Yousaidshewastravellin’withafeller！"
　　"Well，what’stheharminthat？Everybodyknowsthat——"
　　"IfanycrawlersaysawordaboutLizziePorter——lookhere，meandyou’sgottofight，DaveBentley！"Then，withstillgreatervehemence，asthoughhehadashareinthegarment："Takeoffthatcoat！"
　　"NotifIknowit！"saidDave，withthesuddenquietnessthatcomestobravebutheadstrongandimpulsivemenatacriticalmoment：
　　"Meandyouain’tgoin’tofight，Andy;and"（withsuddenenergy）
　　"ifyoutryitonI’llknockyouintojim-rags！"
　　Then，steppingclosetoAndyandtakinghimbythearm：
　　"Andy，thisthingwillhavetobefixedup。Comehere;
　　Iwanttotalktoyou。"Andheledhimsomepacesaside，insidetheboundaryline，whichseemedaludicrouslyunnecessaryprecaution，seeingthattherewasnoonewithinsightorhearingsaveDave’shorse。
　　"Now，lookhere，Andy;let’shaveitover。What’sthematterwithyouandLizziePorter？"
　　"I’Mtravellin’withher，that’sall;andwe’regoingtogetmarriedintwoyears！"
　　Davegaveventtoanotherlong，lowwhistle。Heseemedtothinkandmakeuphismind。
　　"Now，lookhere，Andy：we’reoldmates，ain’twe？"
　　"Yes;Iknowthat。"
　　"AnddoyouthinkI’dtellyouablankylie，orcrawlbehindyourback？
　　Doyou？Spititout！"
　　"N——no，Idon’t！"
　　"I’vealwaysstuckupforyou，Andy，and——why，I’vefoughtforyoubehindyourback！"
　　"Iknowthat，Dave。"
　　"There’smyhandonit！"
　　Andytookhisfriend’shandmechanically，butgrippedithard。
　　"Now，Andy，I’lltellyoustraight：It’sGorstruthaboutLizziePorter！"
　　Theystoodastheywereforafullminute，handsclasped;
　　AndywithhisjawdroppedandstaringinadazedsortofwayatDave。
　　Heraisedhisdisengagedhandhelplesslytohisthatch，gulpedsuspiciously，andaskedinabrokenvoice：
　　"How——howdoyouknowit，Dave？"
　　"Knowit？Andy，ISEEN’EMMESELF！"
　　"Youdid，Dave？"inatonethatsuggestedsorrowmorethanangeratDave’spartintheseeingofthem。
　　"Gorstruth，Andy！"……
　　"Tellme，Dave，whowasthefeller？That’sallIwanttoknow。"
　　"Ican’ttellyouthat。IonlyseenthemwhenIwascanterin’pastinthedusk。"
　　"Thenhow’dyouknowitwasamanatall？"
　　"Itworetrousers，anyway，andwasasbigasyou;soitcouldn’thavebeenagirl。I’mprettysafetoswearitwasMickKelly。
　　Isawhishorsehangin’upatPorter’sonceortwice。
　　ButI’lltellyouwhatI’lldo：I’llfindoutforyou，Andy。
　　And，what’smore，I’lljobhimforyouifIcatchhim！"
　　Andysaidnothing;hishandsclenchedandhischestheaved。
　　Davelaidafriendlyhandonhisshoulder。
　　"It’sredhot，Andy，Iknow。AnybodyelsebutyouandIwouldn’thavecared。
　　Butdon’tbeafool;there’sanyGorsquantityofgirlsknockin’round。
　　Youjustgiveittoherstraightandchuckher，andhavedonewithit。
　　Youmustbebadofftobotherabouther。Gorstruth！sheain’tmuchtolookatanyway！I’vegottoridelikeblazestocatchthecoach。
　　Don’tknockofftillIcomeback;Iwon’tbeaboveanhour。
　　I’mgoin’togiveyousomepointsincaseyou’vegottofightMick;
　　andI’llhavetobetheretobackyou！"And，thustakingtherightmomentinstinctively，hejumpedonhishorseandgallopedontowardsthetown。
　　Hisdust-cloudhadscarcelydisappearedroundacornerofthepaddockswhenAndywasawareofanotheronecomingtowardshim。HehadadazedideathatitwasDavecomingback，butwentondigginganotherpost-hole，mechanically，untilaspring-cartrattledup，andstoppedoppositehim。
　　Thenheliftedhishead。ItwasLizzieherself，drivinghomefromtown。
　　Sheturnedtowardshimwithherusualfaintsmile。Hersmallfeatureswere"washedout"andratherhaggard。
　　"’Ello，Andy！"
　　But，atthesightofher，allhishatredof"funnybusiness"
　　——intensified，perhaps，byasenseofpersonalinjury——cametoahead，andheexploded：
　　"Lookhere，LizziePorter！Iknowallaboutyou。Youneedn’tthinkyou’regoin’tocottononwithmeanymoreafterthis！
　　Iwouldn’tbeseeninapaddockwithyer！I’msatisfiedaboutyou！
　　Getonoutofthis！"
　　Thegirlstaredathimforamomentthunderstruck;thenshelammedintotheoldhorsewithastickshecarriedinplaceofawhip。