Shecried，andwonderedwhatshe’ddone，andtrembledsothatshecouldscarcelyunharnessthehorse，andwonderedifAndyhadgotatouchofthesun，andwentinandsatdownandcriedagain;
　　andpridecametoheraidandshehatedAndy;thoughtofherbigbrother，awaydroving，andmadeacupoftea。Sheshedtearsoverthetea，andwentthroughitallagain。
　　MeanwhileAndywassufferingareaction。Hestartedtofilltheholebeforeheputthepostin;thentoramthepostbeforetherailswereinposition。Dubbingofftheendsoftherails，hewasindangerofamputatingatoeorafootwitheverystrokeoftheadze。
　　And，atlast，tryingtosquintalongthelittlelumpsofclaywhichhehadplacedinthecentreofthetopofeachpostforseveralpanelsback——toassisthimtotakealine——
　　hefoundthattheyswamanddoubled，andranoffinwateryangles，forhiseyesweretoomoisttoseestraightandsingle。
　　Thenhethrewdownthetoolshopelessly，andwasstandinghelplesslyundecidedwhethertogohomeorgodowntothecreekanddrownhimself，whenDaveturnedupagain。
　　"Seenher？"askedDave。
　　"Yes，"saidAndy。
　　"Didyouchuckher？"
　　"Lookhere，Dave;areyousurethefellerwasMickKelly？"
　　"IneversaidIwas。HowwasItoknow？Itwasdark。Youdon’texpectI’d`fox’afellerIseedoingabitofabear-uptoagirl，doyou？
　　Itmighthavebeenyou，forallIknowed。Isupposeshe’sbeentalkingyouround？"
　　"No，sheain’t，"saidAndy。"But，lookhere，Dave;Iwasproperlygoneonthatgirl，Iwas，and——andIwanttobesureI’mright。"
　　ThebusinesswasgettingaltogethertoopsychologicalforDaveBentley。
　　"Youmightaswell，"herappedout，"callmealiaratonce！"
　　"’Taintthatatall，Dave。Iwanttogetatwhothefelleris;
　　that’swhatIwanttogetatnow。Wheredidyouseethem，andwhen？"
　　"IseenthemAnniversarynight，alongtheroad，nearRoss’farm;
　　andIseen’emSundaynightaforethat——inthetreesneartheoldculvert——
　　nearPorter’ssliprails;andIseen’emonenightoutsidePorter’s，onalognearthewoodheap。Theywasthickthattime，andbearin’upproper，andnomistake。SoIcansweartoher。Now，areyousatisfiedabouther？"
　　ButAndywaswildlypitchforkinghisthatchunderhishatwithalltenfingersandstaringatDave，whobegantoregardhimuneasily;
　　thentherecametoAndy’seyesanawfulglare，whichcausedDavetostepbackhastily。
　　"GoodGod，Andy！Areyergoin’ratty？"
　　"No！"criedAndy，wildly。
　　"Thenwhattheblazesisthematterwithyou？You’llhaveratsifyoudon’tlookout！"
　　"JIMMINYFROTH！——ItwasMEallthetime！"
　　"What？"
　　"Itwasmethatwaswithherallthemnights。Itwasmethatyouseen。
　　WHY，IPOPPEDONTHEWOODHEAP！"
　　Davewastakentoosuddenlytowhistlethistime。
　　"Andyouwentforherjustnow？"
　　"Yes！"yelledAndy。
　　"Well——you’vedoneit！"
　　"Yes，"saidAndy，hopelessly;"I’vedoneit！"
　　Davewhistlednow——averylong，lowwhistle。"Well，you’reabloomin’goat，Andy，afterthis。Butthisthing’llhavetobefixedup！"
　　andhecanteredaway。PoorAndywastoobadlyknockedtonoticetheabruptnessofDave’sdeparture，ortoseethatheturnedthroughthesliprailsontothetrackthatledtoPorter’s……
　　HalfanhourlaterAndyappearedatPorter’sbackdoor，withanexpressiononhisfaceasthoughthefuneralwastostartintenminutes。
　　Inatonebefittingsuchanoccasion，hewantedtoseeLizzie。
　　Davehadbeentherewiththelaudabledeterminationoffixingthebusinessup，andhad，ofcourse，succeededinmakingitmuchworsethanitwasbefore。
　　ButAndymadeitallright。
　　TheIron-BarkChipDaveReganandparty——bush-fencers，tank-sinkers，roughcarpenters，&c。——
　　werefinishingthethirdandlastculvertoftheircontractonthelastsectionofthenewrailwayline，andhadalreadysentintheirvouchersforthecompletedcontract，sothattheremightbenoexcuseforextradelayinconnectionwiththecheque。
　　Nowithadbeenexpresslystipulatedintheplansandspecificationsthatthetimberforcertainbeamsandgirderswastobeiron-barkandnoother，andGovernmentinspectorswereauthorisedtoordertheremovalfromthegroundofanytimberormaterialtheymightdeeminferior，ornotinaccordancewiththestipulations。Therailwaycontractor’sforemanandinspectorofsub-contractorswasapracticalmanandabushman，buthehadbeenatimber-getterhimself;hissympathieswerebushy，andhewasonwinkingtermswithDaveRegan。Besides，extendedtimewasexpiring，andthecontractorswereinahurrytocompletetheline。
　　ButtheGovernmentinspectorwasareservedmanwhopokedroundonhisindependentownandappearedinlonelyspotsatunexpectedtimes——withapparentlynodefiniteobjectinlife——likeagreykangaroobotheredbyanewwirefence，butunsuspiciousofthepresenceofhumans。
　　Heworeagreysuit，rode，ormostlyled，anashen-greyhorse;
　　thegrasswaslongandgrey，sohewasseldomspotteduntilhewaswellwithinthehorizonandbearingleisurelydownonapartyofsub-contractors，leadinghishorse。
　　Nowiron-barkwasscarceanddistantonthoseridges，andanothertimber，similarinappearance，butmuchinferioringrainand"standing"quality，wasplentifulandcloseathand。Daveandpartywere"aboutfullof"
　　thejobandplace，andwantedtogettheirchequeandbegonetoanother"spec"theyhadinview。Sotheycametoreckonthey’dgetthelastgirderfromahandytree，andhaveitsquared，inplace，andcarefullyandconscientiouslytarredbeforetheinspectorhappenedalong，ifhedid。Buttheydidn’t。Theygotitsquared，andreadytobeliftedintoitsplace;thekindlydarknessoftarwasreadytocoverafraudthattookfourstrongmenwithcrowbarsandleverstoshift;andnow（suchistheregularcussednessofthings）asthefraudulentpieceoftimberlayitslasthourontheground，lookingandsmelling，totheirguiltyimaginationslikeanythingbutiron-bark，theywereawareoftheGovernmentinspectordriftingdownuponthemobliquely，withsomethingoftheatmosphereofacasualBillorJimwhohaddroppedoutofhiseasy-goingtracktoseehowtheyweregettingon，andborrowamatch。Theyhadmorethanhalfhopedthat，ashehadvisitedthemprettyfrequentlyduringtheprogressofthework，andknewhownearitwastocompletion，hewouldn’tbothercominganymore。
　　Butit’sthewaywiththeGovernment。Youmightmoveheavenandearthinvainendeavourtogetthe"Guvermunt"toflutteraneyelashoversomethingofthemostmomentousimportancetoyourselfandmatesandthedistrict——
　　eventothecountry;butjustwhenyouareleavingauthorityseverelyalone，andhavestrongreasonsfornotwantingtoworryorinterruptit，andnotdesiringittoworryaboutyou，itwilltakeafancyintoitsheadtocomealongandbother。
　　"It’salwaystheway！"mutteredDavetohismates。"Iknewthebeggarwouldturnup！……Andtheonlycronklogwe’vehad，too！"headded，inaninjuredtone。"Ifthishad’a’beentheonlyblessediron-barkinthewholecontract，itwouldhavebeenallright……
　　Good-day，sir！"（totheinspector）。"It’shot？"
　　Theinspectornodded。Hewasnotofanimpulsivenature。
　　Hegotdownfromhishorseandlookedatthegirderinanabstractedway;
　　andpresentlytherecameintohiseyesadreamy，far-away，sadsortofexpression，asiftherehadbeenaverysadandpainfuloccurrenceinhisfamily，waybackinthepast，andthatpieceoftimberinsomewayremindedhimofitandbroughttheoldsorrowhometohim。
　　Heblinkedthreetimes，andasked，inasubduedtone：
　　"Isthatiron-bark？"
　　JackBentley，thefluentliaroftheparty，caughthisbreathwithajerkandcoughed，tocoverthegaspandgaintime。"I——iron-bark？
　　Ofcourseitis！Ithoughtyouwouldknowiron-bark，mister。"
　　（Misterwassilent。）"Whatelsed’yerthinkitis？"
　　Thedreamy，abstractedexpressionwasback。Theinspector，by-the-way，didn’tknowmuchabouttimber，buthehadagreatdealofinstinct，andwentbyitwhenindoubt。
　　"L——lookhere，mister！"putinDaveRegan，inatoneofinnocentpuzzlementandwithablankbucolicface。"B——butdon’ttheplansandspecificationssayiron-bark？Oursdoes，anyway。I——I’llgitthepapersfromthetentandshowyer，ifyerlike。"
　　Itwasnotnecessary。Theinspectoradmittedthefactslowly。Hestooped，andwithanabsentairpickedupachip。Helookedatitabstractedlyforamoment，blinkedhisthreefoldblink;then，seemingtorecollectanappointment，hewokeupsuddenlyandaskedbriskly：
　　"Didthischipcomeoffthatgirder？"
　　Blanksilence。Theinspectorblinkedsixtimes，dividedinthrees，rapidly，mountedhishorse，said"Day，"androdeoff。
　　Reganandpartystaredateachother。
　　"Wha——whatdidhedothatfor？"askedAndyPage，thethirdintheparty。
　　"Dowhatfor，youfool？"enquiredDave。
　　"Ta——takethatchipfor？"
　　"He’stakingittotheoffice！"snarledJackBentley。
　　"What——whatfor？Whatdoeshewanttodothatfor？"
　　"Togetitblankywellanalysed！Youass！Nowareyersatisfied？"
　　AndJacksatdownhardonthetimber，jerkedouthispipe，andsaidtoDave，inasharp，toothachetone：
　　"Gimmiamatch！"
　　"We——well！whatarewetodonow？"enquiredAndy，whowasthehardestgrafter，butaltogetherhelpless，hopeless，anduselessinacrisislikethis。
　　"Grainandvarnishthebloomin’culvert！"snappedBentley。
　　ButDave’seyes，thathadbeenruefullyfollowingtheinspector，suddenlydilated。Theinspectorhadriddenashortdistancealongtheline，dismounted，thrownthebridleoverapost，laidthechip（whichwastoobigtogoinhispocket）ontopofit，gotthroughthefence，andwasnowwalkingbackatanangleacrossthelineinthedirectionofthefencingparty，whohadworkedupontheotherside，alittlemorethanoppositetheculvert。
　　Davetookinthelayofthecountryataglanceandthoughtrapidly。
　　"Gimmeaniron-barkchip！"hesaidsuddenly。
　　Bentley，whowasquick-wittedwhenthetrackwasshownhim，asisakangaroodog（Jackranbysight，notscent），glancedinthelineofDave’seyes，jumpedup，andgotachipaboutthesamesizeasthatwhichtheinspectorhadtaken。
　　Nowthe"layofthecountry"slopedgenerallytothelinefrombothsides，andtheanglebetweentheinspector’shorse，thefencingparty，andtheculvertwaswellwithinaclearconcavespace;
　　butacoupleofhundredyardsbackfromthelineandparalleltoit（onthesideonwhichDave’spartyworkedtheirtimber）
　　afringeofscrubrantowithinafewyardsofapointwhichwouldbeaboutinlinewithasingletreeontheclearedslope，thehorse，andthefencingparty。
　　Davetooktheiron-barkchip，ranalongthebedofthewater-courseintothescrub，racedupthesidingbehindthebushes，gotsafely，thoughwithoutbreathing，acrosstheexposedspace，andbroughtthetreeintolinebetweenhimandtheinspector，whowastalkingtothefencers。
　　Thenhebegantoworkquicklydowntheslopetowardsthetree（whichwasathinone），keepingitinline，hisarmsclosetohissides，andworking，asitwere，downthetrunkofthetree，asifthefencingpartywerekangaroosandDavewastryingtogetashotatthem。
　　Theinspector，by-the-bye，hadahabitofglancingnowandtheninthedirectionofhishorse，asthoughundertheimpressionthatitwasflightyandrestlessandinclinedtoboltonopportunity。
　　Itwasananxiousmomentforallpartiesconcerned——excepttheinspector。
　　Theydidn’twantHIMtobeperturbed。And，justasDavereachedthefootofthetree，theinspectorfinishedwhathehadtosaytothefencers，turned，andstartedtowalkbrisklybacktohishorse。
　　Therewasathunderstormcoming。Nowwasthecriticalmoment——
　　therewerecertainprearrangedsignalsbetweenDave’spartyandthefencerswhichmighthaveinterestedtheinspector，butnonetomeetacaselikethis。
　　JackBentleygasped，andstartedforwardwithanideaofinterceptingtheinspectorandholdinghimforafewminutesinbogusconversation。Inspirationscometooneatacriticalmoment，anditflashedonJack’smindtosendAndyinstead。Andylookedasinnocentandguilelessashewas，butwasuncomfortableinthevicinityof"funnybusiness"，andmusthaveanhonestexcuse。
　　"Notthatthatmattered，"commentedJackafterwards;"itwouldhavetakentheinspectortenminutestogetatwhatAndywasdrivingat，whateveritwas。"
　　"Run，Andy！Tellhimthere’saheavythunderstormcomingandhe’dbetterstayinourhumpytillit’sover。Run！Don’tstandstaringlikeablankyfool。
　　He’llbegone！"
　　Andystarted。Butjustthen，asluckwouldhaveit，oneofthefencersstartedaftertheinspector，hailinghimas"Hi，mister！"
　　Hewantedtobesetrightaboutthesurveyorsomething——ortopretendtowanttobesetright——frommotivesofpolicywhichIhaven’ttimetoexplainhere。
　　ThatfencerexplainedafterwardstoDave’spartythathe"seenwhatyoucoveswasupto，"andthat’swhyhecalledtheinspectorback。
　　Buthetoldthemthataftertheyhadtoldtheiryarn——whichwasamistake。
　　"Comeback，Andy！"criedJackBentley。
　　DaveReganslippedroundthetree，downonhishandsandknees，andmadequicktimethroughthegrasswhich，luckily，grewprettytallonthethirtyorfortyyardsofslopebetweenthetreeandthehorse。
　　Closetothehorse，athoughtstruckDavethatpulledhimup，andsentashiveralonghisspineandahungryfeelingunderit。
　　Thehorsewouldbreakawayandbolt！Butthecasewasdesperate。
　　Daveventuredaninterrogatory"Cope，cope，cope？"Thehorseturneditsheadwearilyandregardedhimwithamildeye，asifhe’dexpectedhimtocome，andcomeonallfours，andwonderedwhathadkepthimsolong;thenhewentonthinking。
　　Davereachedthefootofthepost;thehorseobliginglyleaningoverontheotherleg。Daverearedheadandshoulderscautiouslybehindthepost，likeasnake;hishandwentuptwice，swiftly——thefirsttimehegrabbedtheinspector’schip，andthesecondtimeheputtheiron-barkoneinitsplace。Hedrewdownandback，andscuttledoffforthetreelikeagigantictailless"goanna"。
　　Afewminuteslaterhewalkeduptotheculvertfromalongthecreek，smokinghardtosettlehisnerves。
　　Theskyseemedtodarkensuddenly;thefirstgreatdropsofthethunderstormcamepeltingdown。Theinspectorhurriedtohishorse，andcanteredoffalongthelineinthedirectionofthefettlers’camp。
　　Hehadforgottenallaboutthechip，andleftitontopofthepost！
　　DaveRegansatdownonthebeamintherainandsworecomprehensively。
　　"Middleton’sPeter"
　　I。
　　TheFirstBornThestrugglingsquatteristobefoundinAustraliaaswellasthe"strugglingfarmer"。TheAustraliansquatterisnotalwaysthemightywoolkingthatEnglishandAmericanauthorsandotheruninformedpeopleapparentlyimaginehimtobe。Squatting，atthebest，isbutagameofchance。Itdependsmainlyontheweather，andthat，inNewSouthWalesatleast，dependsonnothing。
　　JoeMiddletonwasastrugglingsquatter，withastationsomedistancetothewestwardofthefurthestlinereachedbytheordinary"newchum"。
　　Hisrun，atthetimeofourstory，wasonlyaboutsixmilessquare，andhisstockwaslimitedinproportion。ThehandsonJoe’srunconsistedofhisbrotherDave，amiddle-agedmanknownonlyas"Middleton’sPeter"（whohadbeenintheserviceoftheMiddletonfamilyeversinceJoeMiddletoncouldremember），andanoldblackshepherd，withhisginandtwoboys。
　　ItwasinthefirstyearofJoe’smarriage。Hehadmarriedaveryordinarygirl，asfarasAustraliangirlsgo，butinhiseyesshewasanangel。Hereallyworshippedher。
　　Onesultryafternooninmidsummerallthestationhands，withtheexceptionofDaveMiddleton，werecongregatedaboutthehomesteaddoor，anditwasevidentfromtheirsolemnfacesthatsomethingunusualwasthematter。Theyappearedtobewatchingforsomethingorsomeoneacrosstheflat，andtheoldblackshepherd，whohadbeenlisteningintentlywithbenthead，suddenlystraightenedhimselfupandcried：
　　"Icanhearthecart。Icanseeit！"
　　Youmustbearinmindthatourblackfellowsdonotalwaystalkthegibberishwithwhichtheyarecreditedbystorywriters。
　　ItwasnotuntilsometimeafterBlackBillhadspokenthatthewhite——or，rather，thebrown——portionofthepartycouldseeorevenheartheapproachingvehicle。Atlast，faroutthroughthetrunksofthenativeapple-trees，thecartwasseenapproaching;andasitcameneareritwasevidentthatitwasbeingdrivenatabreak-neckpace，thehorsescanteringalltheway，whilethemotionofthecart，asfirstonewheelandthentheothersprangfromarootorarut，boreastrikingresemblancetotheHighlandFling。Thereweretwopersonsinthecart。
　　OnewasMotherPalmer，astout，middle-agedparty（whosometimesdidthedutiesofamidwife），andtheotherwasDaveMiddleton，Joe’sbrother。
　　Thecartwasdrivenrightuptothedoorwithscarcelyanyabatementofspeed，andwasstoppedsosuddenlythatMrs。Palmerwassentsprawlingontothehorse’srump。Shewasquicklyhelpeddown，and，assoonasshehadrecoveredsufficientbreath，shefollowedBlackMaryintothebedroomwhereyoungMrs。Middletonwaslying，lookingverypaleandfrightened。Thehorsewhichhadbeendrivensocruellyhadnotdoneblowingbeforeanothercartappeared，alsodrivenveryfast。
　　ItcontainedoldMr。andMrs。Middleton，wholivedcomfortablyonasmallfarmnotfarfromPalmer’splace。
　　AssoonashehaddumpedMrs。Palmer，DaveMiddletonleftthecartand，mountingafreshhorsewhichstoodreadysaddledintheyard，gallopedoffthroughthescrubinadifferentdirection。
　　HalfanhourafterwardsJoeMiddletoncamehomeonahorsethathadbeenalmostriddentodeath。Hismothercameoutatthesoundofhisarrival，andheanxiouslyaskedher：
　　"Howisshe？"
　　"DidyoufindDoc。Wild？"askedthemother。
　　"No，confoundhim！"exclaimedJoebitterly。"HepromisedmefaithfullytocomeoveronWednesdayandstayuntilMaggiewasrightagain。
　　NowhehasleftDean’sandgone——Lordknowswhere。Isupposeheisdrinkingagain。HowisMaggie？"
　　"It’sallovernow——thechildisborn。It’saboy;butsheisveryweak。
　　DavegotMrs。Palmerherejustintime。IhadbettertellyouatoncethatMrs。Palmersaysifwedon’tgetadoctorhereto-nightpoorMaggiewon’tlive。"
　　"GoodGod！andwhatamItodo？"criedJoedesperately。
　　"Isthereanyotherdoctorwithinreach？"
　　"No;thereisonlytheoneatB————;that’sfortymilesaway，andheislaidupwiththebrokenleghegotinthebuggyaccident。
　　Where’sDave？"
　　"GonetoBlack’sshanty。OneofMrs。Palmer’ssonsthoughtherememberedsomeonesayingthatDoc。Wildwastherelastweek。
　　That’sfifteenmilesaway。"
　　"Butitisouronlyhope，"saidJoedejectedly。"IwishtoGodthatIhadtakenMaggietosomecivilisedplaceamonthago。"
　　Doc。Wildwasawell-knowncharacteramongthebushmenofNewSouthWales，andalthoughtheprofessiondidnotrecognisehim，anddenouncedhimasanempiric，hisskillwasundoubted。Bushmenhadgreatfaithinhim，andwouldoftenrideincredibledistancesinordertobringhimtothebedsideofasickfriend。Hedrankfearfully，butwasseldomincapableoftreatingapatient;hewould，however，sometimesbefoundinanobstinatemoodandrefusetotraveltothesideofasickperson，andthenthedevilhimselfcouldnotmakethedoctorbudge。Butforallthishewasverygenerous——
　　afactthatcould，nodoubt，betestifiedtobymanyagratefulsojournerinthelonelybush。
　　II。
　　TheOnlyHopeNightcameon，andstilltherewasnochangeintheconditionoftheyoungwife，andnosignofthedoctor。Severalstockmenfromtheneighbouringstations，hearingthattherewastroubleatJoeMiddleton’s，hadriddenover，andhadgallopedoffonlong，hopelessridesinsearchofadoctor。Beinggenerallyfreefromsicknessthemselves，thesebushmenlookuponitasaseriousbusinesseveninitsmildestform;whatismore，theirsympathyisalwayspracticalwhereitispossibleforittobeso。Oneday，whileoutontherunafteran"outlaw"，JoeMiddletonwasbadlythrownfromhishorse，andthebreak-neckridingthatwasdoneonthatoccasionfromthetimethehorsecamehomewithemptysaddleuntiltheriderwassafeinbedandattendedbyadoctorwassomethingextraordinary，evenforthebush。
　　BeforethetimearrivedwhenDaveMiddletonmightreasonablyhavebeenexpectedtoreturn，thestationpeoplewereanxiouslywatchingforhim，allexcepttheoldblackfellowandthetwoboys，whohadgonetoyardthesheep。
　　ThepartyhadbeenincreasedbyJimmyNowlett，thebullocky，whohadjustarrivedwithaloadoffencingwireandprovisionsforMiddleton。
　　Jimmywasstandinginthemoonlight，whipinhand，lookingasanxiousasthehusbandhimself，andendeavouringtocalculatebymentalarithmetictheexacttimeitoughttotakeDavetocompletehisdoublejourney，takingintoconsiderationthedistance，theobstaclesintheway，andthechancesofhorse-flesh。
　　ButthetimewhichJimmyfixedforthearrivalcamewithoutDave。
　　OldPeter（ashewasgenerallycalled，thoughhewasnotreallyold）
　　stoodasideinhisusualsullenmanner，hishatdrawndownoverhisbrowandeyes，andnothingvisiblebutathickandveryhorizontalblackbeard，fromthedepthofwhichemergedlargecloudsofverystrongtobaccosmoke，theproductofashort，black，claypipe。
　　TheyhadalmostgivenupallhopeofseeingDavereturnthatnight，whenPeterslowlyanddeliberatelyremovedhispipeandgrunted：
　　"He’sa-comin’。"
　　Hethenreplacedthepipe，andsmokedonasbefore。
　　Alllistened，butnotoneofthemcouldhearasound。
　　"Yerearsmustbeprettysharpforyerage，Peter。Wecan’thearhim，"
　　remarkedJimmyNowlett。
　　"Hisdogken，"saidPeter。
　　ThepipewasagainremovedanditsabbreviatedstempointedinthedirectionofDave’scattledog，whohadrisenbesidehiskennelwithpointedears，andwaslookingeagerlyinthedirectionfromwhichhismasterwasexpectedtocome。
　　Presentlythesoundofhorse’shoofswasdistinctlyheard。
　　"Icanheartwohorses，"criedJimmyNowlettexcitedly。
　　"There’sonlyone，"saidoldPeterquietly。
　　Afewmomentspassed，andasinglehorsemanappearedonthefarsideoftheflat。
　　"It’sDoc。WildonDave’shorse，"criedJimmyNowlett。
　　"Davedon’tridelikethat。"
　　"It’sDave，"saidPeter，replacinghispipeandlookingmoreunsociablethanever。
　　Daverodeupand，throwinghimselfwearilyfromthesaddle，stoodominouslysilentbythesideofhishorse。
　　JoeMiddletonsaidnothing，butstoodasidewithanexpressionofutterhopelessnessonhisface。
　　"Notthere？"askedJimmyNowlettatlast，addressingDave。
　　"Yes，he’sthere，"answeredDave，impatiently。
　　Thiswasnottheanswertheyexpected，butnobodyseemedsurprised。
　　"Drunk？"askedJimmy。
　　"Yes。"
　　HereoldPeterremovedhispipe，andpronouncedtheoneword——"How？"
　　"Whatthehelldoyoumeanbythat？"mutteredDave，whosepatiencehadevidentlybeenseverelytriedbythecleverbutintemperatebushdoctor。
　　"Howdrunk？"explainedPeter，withgreatequanimity。
　　"Stubborndrunk，blinddrunk，beastlydrunk，deaddrunk，anddamnedwelldrunk，ifthat’swhatyouwanttoknow！"
　　"WhatdidDoc。say？"askedJimmy。
　　"Saidhewassick——hadlumbago——wouldn’tcomefortheQueenofEngland;
　　saidhewantedacourseoftreatmenthimself。Cursehim！Ihavenopatiencetotalkabouthim。"
　　"I’dgivehimacourseoftreatment，"mutteredJimmyviciously，trailingthelonglashofhisbullock-whipthroughthegrassandspittingspitefullyattheground。
　　DaveturnedawayandjoinedJoe，whowastalkingearnestlytohismotherbythekitchendoor。HetoldthemthathehadspentanhourtryingtopersuadeDoc。Wildtocome，and，thatbeforehehadlefttheshanty，Blackhadpromisedhimfaithfullytobringthedoctoroverassoonashisobstinatemoodworeoff。
　　Justthenalowmoanwasheardfromthesickroom，followedbythesoundofMotherPalmer’svoicecallingoldMrs。Middleton，whowentinsideimmediately。
　　NoonehadnoticedthedisappearanceofPeter，andwhenhepresentlyreturnedfromthestockyard，leadingtheonlyfreshhorsethatremained，JimmyNowlettbegantoregardhimwithsomeinterest。
　　PetertransferredthesaddlefromDave’shorsetotheother，andthenwentintoasmallroomoffthekitchen，whichservedhimasabedroom;fromithesoonreturnedwithaformidable-lookingrevolver，thechambersofwhichheexaminedinthemoonlightinfullviewofallthecompany。Theythoughtforamomentthemanhadgonemad。
　　OldMiddletonleapedquicklybehindNowlett，andBlackMary，whohadcomeouttothecaskatthecornerforadipperofwater，droppedthedipperandwasinsidelikeashot。Oneoftheblackboyscamesoftlyupatthatmoment;assoonashissharpeye"spotted"theweapon，hedisappearedasthoughtheearthhadswallowedhim。
　　"Whatthemischiefareyergoin’terdo，Peter？"askedJimmy。
　　"Goin’tofetchhim，"saidPeter，and，aftercarefullyemptyinghispipeandreplacingitinaleatherpouchathisbelt，hemountedandrodeoffataneasycanter。
　　Jimmywatchedthehorseuntilitdisappearedattheedgeoftheflat，andthenaftercoilingupthelonglashofhisbullock-whipinthedustuntilitlookedlikeasleepingsnake，heproddedthesmallendofthelongpinehandleintothemiddleofthecoil，asthoughdrivinghomeapoint，andsaidinatoneofintenseconviction：
　　"He’llfetchhim。"
　　III。
　　Doc。WildPetergraduallyincreasedhishorse’sspeedalongtheroughbushtrackuntilhewasridingatagoodpace。Itwastenmilestothemainroad，andfivefromtheretotheshantykeptbyBlack。
　　ForsometimebeforePeterstartedtheatmospherehadbeenverycloseandoppressive。Thegreatblackedgeofastorm-cloudhadrisenintheeast，andeverythingindicatedtheapproachofathunderstorm。
　　Itwasnotlongcoming。BeforePeterhadcompletedsixmilesofhisjourney，thecloudsrolledover，obscuringthemoon，andanAustralianthunderstormcameonwithitsmightydownpour，itsblindinglightning，anditsearth-shakingthunder。Peterrodesteadilyon，onlypausingnowandthenuntilaflashrevealedthetrackinfrontofhim。
　　Black’sshanty——or，rather，asthesignhadit，"PostOfficeandGeneralStore"——was，aswehavesaid，fivemilesalongthemainroadfromthepointwhereMiddleton’strackjoinedit。Thebuildingwasoftheusualstyleofbusharchitecture。Abouttwohundredyardsnearerthecreek，whichcrossedtheroadfurtheron，stoodalargebarkandslabstable，largeenoughtohavemettherequirementsofalegitimatebush"public"。
　　Thereadermaydoubtthata"slygrogshop"couldopenlycarryonbusinessonamainGovernmentroadalongwhichmountedtrooperswerecontinuallypassing。Butthen，yousee，mountedtroopersgetthirstylikeothermen;moreover，theycouldalwaysgettheirthirstquenched`gratis’
　　attheseplaces;sothereaderwillbepreparedtohearthatonthisverynighttwotroopers’horseswerestowedsnuglyawayinthestable，andtwotrooperswerestowedsnuglyawayinthebackroomoftheshanty，sleepingofftheeffectsoftheircheapbutstrongpotations。
　　Thereweretworooms，ofasort，attachedtothestables——oneateachend。
　　Onewasoccupiedbyamanwhowas"generallyuseful"，andtheotherwasthesurgery，office，andbedroom`protem。’ofDoc。Wild。
　　Doc。Wildwasatallman，ofspareproportions。Hehadacadaverousface，blackhair，bushyblackeyebrows，eaglenose，andeagleeyes。
　　Heneversleptwhilehewasdrinking。Onthisoccasionhesatinfrontofthefireonalowthree-leggedstool。
　　Hiskneesweredrawnup，histoeshookedroundthefrontlegsofthestool，onehandrestingononeknee，andoneelbow（thehandsupportingthechin）
　　restingontheother。Hewasstaringintentlyintothefire，onwhichanoldblacksaucepanwasboilingandsendingforthapungentodourofherbs。Thereseemedsomethinguncannyaboutthedoctorastheredlightofthefirefellonhishawk-likefaceandgleamingeyes。
　　HemighthavebeenMephistopheleswatchingsomeinfernalbrew。
　　Hehadsattheresometimewithoutstirringafinger，whenthedoorsuddenlyburstopenandMiddleton’sPeterstoodwithin，drippingwet。
　　Thedoctorturnedhisblack，piercingeyesupontheintruder（whoregardedhimsilently）foramoment，andthenaskedquietly：
　　"Whatthehelldoyouwant？"
　　"Iwantyou，"saidPeter。
　　"Andwhatdoyouwantmefor？"
　　"IwantyoutocometoJoeMiddleton’swife。She’sbad，"saidPetercalmly。
　　"Iwon’tcome，"shoutedthedoctor。"I’vebroughtenoughhorse-stealersintotheworldalready。Ifanymorewanttocometheycangotoblazesforme。Now，yougetoutofthis！"
　　"Don’tgetyerragout，"saidPeterquietly。"Thehoss-stealer’scome，an’nearlykilledhismotherterbeginwith;an’ifyerdon’tgetyerphysic-boxan’comewi’me，bythegreatGodI’ll————"
　　HeretherevolverwasproducedandpointedatDoc。Wild’shead。
　　Thesightoftheweaponhadasoberingeffectuponthedoctor。Herose，lookedatPetercriticallyforamoment，knockedtheweaponoutofhishand，andsaidslowlyanddeliberately：
　　"Wall，efthecaseesasseriousasthat，I（hic）reckonI’dbettercome。"
　　Peterwasstillofthesameopinion，soDoc。Wildproceededtogethismedicinechestready。Heexplainedafterwards，inoneofhissoftermoments，thattheshooterdidn’tfrightenhimsomuchasittouchedhismemory——"sorterputhiminmindoftheolddaysinCalifornia，andmadehimthinkofthemanhemighthavebeen，"
　　he’dsay，——"kindertouchedhisheartandslidthedurnedoldpanoramainfrontofhimlikeaflash;madehimthinkofthetimewhenheslippedthreeleadenpillsinto`BlueShirt’forwinkingatanewchumbehindhis（theDoc。’s）backwhenhewastellingatruthfulyarn，andchargedthesaid`BlueShirt’ahundreddollarsforextractingthesaidpills。"
　　JoeMiddleton’swifeisagrandmothernow。
　　Peterpassedafterthemannerofhissort;hewasfounddeadinhisbunk。
　　PoorDoc。Wilddiedinashepherd’shutattheDryCreeks。
　　Theshepherds（whitemen）foundhim，"nakedashewasbornandwiththehidehalfburnedoffhimwiththesun，"roundingupimaginarysnakesonadustyclearing，oneblazinghotday。Thehut-keeperhadsome"quare"（queer）experienceswiththedoctorduringthenextthreedaysandused，inafteryears，totellofthem，betweenthepuffsofhispipe，calmlyandsolemnlyandasifthestorywasrathertothedoctor’screditthanotherwise。Theshepherdssentforthepoliceandadoctor，andsentwordtoJoeMiddleton。Doc。Wildwassensibletowardstheend。
　　Hisinterviewwiththeotherdoctorwascharacteristic。"And，nowyouseehowfarIam，"hesaidinconclusion——"haveyoubroughtthebrandy？"
　　Theotherdoctorhad。JoeMiddletoncamewithhiswaggonette，andinitthesoftestmattressandpillowsthestationafforded。
　　Healso，inhisinnocence，broughtadozenofsoda-water。
　　Doc。WildtookJoe’shandfeebly，and，alittlelater，he"passedout"
　　（ashewouldhavesaid）murmuring"somethingthatsoundedlikepoetry"，inanunknowntongue。Joetookthebodytothehomestation。
　　"Who’sthebossbringin’？"askedtheshearers，seeingthewaggonettecomingveryslowlyandthebosswalkingbythehorses’heads。
　　"Doc。Wild，"saidastationhand。"Takeyerhatsoff。"
　　Theyburiedhimwithbushhonours，andchiselledhisnameonaslabofbluegum——awoodthatlasts。
　　TheMysteryofDaveRegan"AndthentherewasDaveRegan，"saidthetraveller。"DaveusedtodieoftenerthananyotherbushmanIknew。Hewasalwaysbeingreporteddeadandturnin’upagain。Heseemedtolikeit——exceptonce，whenhisbrotherdrewhismoneyanddrankitalltodrownhisgriefatwhathecalledDave’s`untimelyend’。Well，DavewentuptoQueenslandoncewithcattle，andwasawaythreeyearsandreporteddead，asusual。
　　HewasdrownedintheBoganthistimewhiletryin’toswimhishorseacrostaflood——andhissweethearthurriedupandgotsplicedtoaworsemanbeforeDavegotback。
　　"Well，onedayIwasoutinthebushlookin’fortimber，whenthebiggeststormeverknowedinthatplacecomeon。
　　Therewashailinit，too，asbigasbullets，andifIhadn’tgotbehindastumpandcroucheddownintimeI’dhavebeenriddledlikea——likeabushranger。Asitwas，Igotsoakin’wet。
　　Thestormwasoverinafewminutes，thewaterrunoffdownthegullies，andthesuncomeoutandthescrubsteamed——andstunklikeanewpairofmoleskintrousers。Iwentonalongthetrack，andpresentlyIseenalong，lankychapgetontoalong，lankyhorseandrideoutofabushyardattheedgeofaclearin’。
　　IknoweditwasDaved’recklyIseteyesonhim。
　　"Daveusedtorideatall，holler-backedthoroughbredwithabodyandlimbslikeakangaroodog，anditwouldcirclearoundyouandsidleawayasifitwasfrightenedyouwasgoin’tojabaknifeintoit。
　　"`’Ello！Dave！’saidI，ashecamespurrin’up。`Howareyer！’
　　"`’Ello，Jim！’sayshe。`Howareyou？’
　　"`Allright！’saysI。`Howareyergettin’on？’
　　"But，beforewecouldsayanymore，thathorseshiedawayandbrokeoffthroughthescrubtotheright。Iwaited，becauseIknowedDavewouldcomebackagainifIwaitedlongenough;andinabouttenminuteshecamesidlin’infromthescrubtotheleft。
　　"`Oh，I’mallright，’sayshe，spurrin’upsideways;`Howareyou？’
　　"`Right！’saysI。`How’stheoldpeople？’
　　"`Oh，Iain’tbeenhomeyet，’sayshe，holdin’outhishand;
　　but，aforeIcouldgripit，thecussedhorsesidledofftothesouthendoftheclearin’andbrokeawayagainthroughthescrub。
　　"IheardDaveswearin’aboutthecountryfortwentyminutesorso，andthenhecamespurrin’andcursin’infromtheotherendoftheclearin’。
　　"`Wherehaveyoubeenallthistime？’Isaid，asthehorsecamecurvin’uplikeaboomerang。
　　"`Gulfcountry，’saidDave。
　　"`Thatwasastorm，Dave，’saidI。
　　"`Myoath！’saysDave。
　　"`Getcaughtinit？’
　　"`Yes。’
　　"`Gottoshelter？’
　　"`No。’
　　"`Butyou’reasdry’sabone，Dave！’
　　"Davegrinned。`——————and——————and——————the————————！’heyelled。
　　"Hesaidthattothehorseasitboomerangedoffagainandbrokeawaythroughthescrub。Iwaited;buthedidn’tcomeback，andIreckonedhe’dgotsofarawaybeforehecouldpullupthathedidn’tthinkitworthwhilecomin’back;soIwenton。
　　By-and-byeIgotthinkin’。Davewasasdryasabone，andIknowedthathehadn’thadtimetogettoshelter，fortherewasn’tashedwithintwelvemiles。Hewasn’tonlydry，buthiscoatwascreasedanddustytoo——sameasifhe’dbeensleepin’
　　inahollerlog;andwhenIcometothinkofit，hisfaceseemedthinnerandwhiterthanitusedter，andsodidhishandsandwrists，whichalwaysstuckalongwayoutofhiscoat-sleeves;andtherewasbloodonhisface——butIthoughthe’dgotscratchedwithatwig。
　　（Daveusedtowearacoatthreeorfoursizestoosmallforhim，withsleevesthatdidn’tcomemuchbelowhiselbowsandatailthatscarcelyreachedhiswaistbehind。）Andhishairseemeddarkandlank，insteadofbein’sandyandstickin’outlikeanoldfibrebrush，asitusedter。AndthenIthoughthisvoicesoundeddifferent，too。
　　And，whenIenquirednextday，therewasnooneheardofDave，andthechapsreckonedImusthavebeendrunk，orseenhisghost。
　　"Itdidn’tseemallrightatall——itworriedmealot。Icouldn’tmakeouthowDavekeptdry;andthehorseandsaddleandsaddle-clothwaswet。
　　Itoldthechapshowhetalkedtomeandwhathesaid，andhowhesworeatthehorse;buttheyonlysaiditwasDave’sghostandnobodyelse’s。
　　Itold’emabouthimbein’dryasaboneaftergettin’caughtinthatstorm;
　　buttheyonlylaughedandsaiditwasadryplacewhereDavewentto。
　　Italkedandarguedaboutituntilthechapsbegantotaptheirforeheadsandwink——thenIleftofftalking。
　　ButIdidn’tleaveoffthinkin’——Ialwayshatedamystery。
　　EvenDave’sfathertoldmethatDavecouldn’tbealiveorelsehisghostwouldn’tberound——hesaidheknewDavebetterthanthat。
　　OneortwofellersdidturnupafterwardsthathadseenDaveaboutthetimethatIdid——andthenthechapssaidtheywassurethatDavewasdead。
　　"Butonefineday，asalotofuschapswasplayin’pitchandtossattheshanty，oneofthefellersyelledout：
　　"`ByGee！HerecomesDaveRegan！’
　　"AndIlookedupandsawDavehimself，sidlin’outofacloudofdustonalonglankyhorse。Herodeintothestockyard，gotdown，hunghishorseuptoapost，putuptherails，andthencomeslopin’towardsuswithahalf-acregrinonhisface。
　　Davehadlong，thinbow-legs，andwhenhewasonthegroundhemovedasifhewasonrollerskates。
　　"`’El-lo，Dave！’saysI。`Howareyer？’
　　"`’Ello，Jim！’saidhe。`Howtheblazesareyou？’
　　"`Allright！’saysI，shakin’hands。`Howareyer？’
　　"`Oh！I’mallright！’hesays。`Howareyerpoppin’up！’
　　"Well，whenwe’dgotallthatsettled，andtheotherchapshadaskedhowhewas，hesaid：`Ah，well！Let’shaveadrink。’
　　"AndalltheotherchapscrawfishedupandflungthemselvesroundthecornerandsidledintothebarafterDave。Wehadalotoftalk，andhetoldusthathe’dbeendownbefore，buthadgoneawaywithoutseein’anyofus，exceptme，becausehe’dsuddenlyheardofamobofcattleatastationtwohundredmilesaway;andafterawhileItookhimasideandsaid：
　　"`Lookhere，Dave！DoyourememberthedayImetyouafterthestorm？’
　　"Hescratchedhishead。
　　"`Why，yes，’hesays。
　　"`Didyougetundershelterthatday？’
　　"`Why——no。’
　　"`Thenhowtheblazesdidn’tyergetwet？’
　　"Davegrinned;thenhesays：
　　"`Why，whenIseenthestormcomingItookoffmeclothesandstuck’eminahollerlogtilltherainwasover。’
　　"`Yes，’hesays，aftertheothercoveshaddonelaughin’，butbeforeI’ddonethinking;`Ikeptmyclothesdryandgotagoodrefreshin’shower-bathintothebargain。’
　　"Thenhescratchedthebackofhisneckwithhislittlefinger，anddroppedhisjaw，andthoughtabit;thenherubbedthetopofhisheadandhisshoulder，reflective-like，andthenhesaid：
　　"`ButIdidn’treckonforthemthereblankyhailstones。’"
　　MitchellonMatrimony"Isupposeyourwifewillbegladtoseeyou，"saidMitchelltohismateintheircampbythedamatHungerford。Theywereoverhaulingtheirswags，andthrowingawaytheblankets，andcalico，andoldclothes，andrubbishtheydidn’twant——everything，infact，excepttheirpocket-booksandlettersandportraits，thingswhichmencarryaboutwiththemalways，thatarefoundonthemwhentheydie，andsenttotheirrelationsifpossible。
　　Otherwisetheyaretakeninchargebytheconstablewhoofficiatesattheinquest，andforwardedtotheMinisterofJusticealongwiththedepositions。
　　Itwastheendoftheshearingseason。Mitchellandhismatehadbeenluckyenoughtogettwogoodshedsinsuccession，andweregoingtotakethecoachfromHungerfordtoBourkeontheirwaytoSydney。Themorningstarswerebrightyet，andtheysatdowntoafinalbillyoftea，twodustyJohnny-cakes，andascragofsaltmutton。
　　"Yes，"saidMitchell’smate，"andI’llbegladtoseehertoo。"
　　"Isupposeyouwill，"saidMitchell。Heplacedhispint-potbetweenhisfeet，restedhisarmagainsthisknee，andstirredtheteameditativelywiththehandleofhispocket-knife。ItwasvaguelyunderstoodthatMitchellhadbeenmarriedatoneperiodofhischequeredcareer。
　　"Idon’tthinkweeverunderstoodwomenproperly，"hesaid，ashetookacautioussiptoseeifhisteawascoolandsweetenough，forhislipsweresore;"Idon’tthinkweeverwill——wenevertookthetroubletotry，andifwediditwouldbeonlywastedbrainpowerthatmightjustaswellbespentontheblackfellow’slingo;
　　becausebythetimeyou’velearntitthey’llbeextinct，andwoman’llbeextinctbeforeyou’velearnther……
　　Themorningstarlooksbright，doesn’tit？"
　　"Ah，well，"saidMitchellafterawhile，"there’smanylittlethingswemighttrytounderstandwomenin。Ireadinapieceofnewspapertheotherdayabouthowamanchangesafterhe’smarried;
　　howhegetsshort，andimpatient，andbored（whichisonlynatural），andsticksupawallofnewspaperbetweenhimselfandhiswifewhenhe’sathome;andhowitcomeslikeacoldshocktoher，andallherair-castlesvanish，andintheendsheoftenthinksabouttakingthebabyandtheclothesshestandsin，andgoinghomeforsympathyandcomforttomother。
　　"Perhapsshenevergotawordofsympathyfromhermotherinherlife，noraday’scomfortathomebeforeshewasmarried;butthatdoesn’tmaketheslightestdifference。Itdoesn’tmakeanydifferenceinyourcaseeither，ifyouhaven’tbeenactinglikeadutifulson-in-law。
　　"Somebodywrotethatawoman’sloveisherwholeexistence，whileaman’sloveisonlypartofhis——whichistrue，andonlynaturalandreasonable，allthingsconsidered。Butwomenneverconsiderasarule。Amancan’tgoontalkinglovey-doveytalkforever，andlisteningtohisyoungwife’sprattlewhenhe’sgottothinkaboutmakingaliving，andnursingherandansweringherchildishquestionsandtellingherheloveshislittleownesteveryminuteintheday，whilethebillsarerunningup，andrentmorningsbegintoflyroundandhustleandcrowdhim。
　　"He’sgotherandhe’ssatisfied;andifthetruthisknownhelovesherreallymorethanhedidwhentheywereengaged，onlyshewon’tbesatisfiedaboutitunlesshetellshersoeveryhourintheday。Atleastthat’showitisforthefirstfewmonths。
　　"Butawomandoesn’tunderstandthesethings——sheneverwill，shecan’t——
　　anditwouldbejustaswellforustotryandunderstandthatshedoesn’tandcan’tunderstandthem。"
　　Mitchellknockedthetea-leavesoutofhispannikinagainsthisboot，andreachedforthebilly。
　　"There’smanylittlethingswemightdothatseemmeretriflesandnonsensetous，butmeanalottoher;thatwouldn’tbeanytroubleorsacrificetous，butmighthelptomakeherlifehappy。It’sjustbecauseweneverthinkabouttheselittlethings——don’tthinkthemworththinkingabout，infact——
　　theyneverenterourintellectualforeheads。
　　"Forinstance，whenyou’regoingoutinthemorningyoumightputyourarmsroundherandgiveherahugandakiss，withoutherhavingtoremindyou。Youmayforgetaboutitandneverthinkanymoreofit——
　　butshewill。
　　"Itwouldn’tbeanytroubletoyou，andwouldonlytakeacoupleofseconds，andwouldgivehersomethingtobehappyaboutwhenyou’regone，andmakehersingtoherselfforhourswhileshebustlesaboutherworkandthinksupwhatshe’llgetyoufordinner。"
　　Mitchell’smatesighed，andshiftedthesugar-bagovertowardsMitchell。
　　Heseemedtouchedandbotheredoversomething。
　　"Thenagain，"saidMitchell，"itmightn’tbeconvenientforyoutogohometodinner——somethingmightturnupduringthemorning——
　　youmighthavesomeimportantbusinesstodo，ormeetsomechapsandgetinvitedtolunchandnotbeverywellabletorefuse，whenit’stoolate，oryouhaven’tachancetosendamessagetoyourwife。
　　Butthenagain，chapsandbusinessseemverybigthingstoyou，andonlylittlethingstothewife;justaslovey-doveytalkisimportanttoherandnonsensetoyou。Andwhenyoucometoanalyseit，oneisnotsobig，northeothersosmall，afterall;
　　especiallywhenyoucometothinkthatchapscanalwayswait，andbusinessisonlyaninspirationinyourmind，ninecasesoutoften。
　　"Thinkofthetroubleshetakestogetyouagooddinner，andhowshekeepsithotbetweentwoplatesintheoven，andwaitshourafterhourtillthedinnergetsdriedup，andallhermorning’sworkiswasted。Thinkhowithurtsher，andhowanxiousshe’llbe（especiallyifyou’reinclinedtobooze）
　　forfearthatsomethinghashappenedtoyou。Youcan’tgetitoutoftheheadsofsomeyoungwivesthatyou’reliabletogetrunover，orknockeddown，orassaulted，orrobbed，orgetintooneofthefixesthatawomanislikelytogetinto。Butaboutthedinnerwaiting。
　　Tryandputyourselfinherplace。Wouldn’tyougetmadunderthesamecircumstances？IknowIwould。
　　"Irememberonce，onlyjustafterIwasmarried，Iwasinvitedunexpectedlytoakidneypuddingandbeans——whichwasmyfavouritegrubatthetime——
　　andIdidn’tresist，especiallyasitwaswashingdayandItoldthewifenottobotheraboutanythingfordinner。Igothomeanhourorsolate，andhadagoodexplanationthoughtout，whenthewifemetmewithasmileasifwehadjustbeenleftathousandpounds。She’dgotherwashingfinishedwithoutassistance，thoughI’dtoldhertogetsomebodytohelpher，andshehadakidneypuddingandbeans，withalotofextrasthrownin，asapleasantsurpriseforme。
　　"Well，Ikissedher，andsatdown，andstuffedtillIthoughteverymouthfulwouldchokeme。Igotthroughwithitsomehow，butI’venevercaredforkidneypuddingorbeanssince。"
　　Mitchellfeltforhispipewithafatherlysmileinhiseyes。
　　"Andthenagain，"hecontinued，ashecutuphistobacco，"yourwifemightputonanewdressandfixherselfupandlookwell，andyoumightthinksoandbesatisfiedwithherappearanceandbeproudtotakeherout;butyouwanttotellherso，andtellhersoasoftenasyouthinkaboutit——andtrytothinkalittleoftenerthanmenusuallydo，too。"……
　　"Youshouldhavemadeagoodhusband，Jack，"saidhismate，inasoftenedtone。
　　"Ah，well，perhapsIshould，"saidMitchell，rubbinguphistobacco;
　　thenheaskedabstractedly："Whatsortofahusbanddidyoumake，Joe？"
　　"ImighthavemadeabetteronethanIdid，"saidJoeseriously，andratherbitterly，"butIknowonething，I’mgoingtotryandmakeupforitwhenIgobackthistime。"
　　"Weallsaythat，"saidMitchellreflectively，fillinghispipe。
　　"Shelovesyou，Joe。"
　　"Iknowshedoes，"saidJoe。
　　Mitchelllitup。
　　"Andsowouldanymanwhoknewherorhadseenherletterstoyou，"
　　hesaidbetweenthepuffs。"She’shappyandcontentedenough，Ibelieve？"
　　"Yes，"saidJoe，"atleastwhileIwasthere。She’snevereasywhenI’maway。
　　Imighthavemadeheragooddealmorehappyandcontentedwithouthurtingmyselfmuch。"
　　Mitchellsmokedlong，soft，measuredpuffs。
　　Hismateshifteduneasilyandglancedathimacoupleoftimes，andseemedtobecomeimpatient，andtomakeuphismindaboutsomething;
　　orperhapshegotanideathatMitchellhadbeen"having"him，andfeltangryoverbeingbetrayedintomaudlinconfidences;
　　forheaskedabruptly：
　　"Howisyourwifenow，Mitchell？"
　　"Idon’tknow，"saidMitchellcalmly。
　　"Don’tknow？"echoedthemate。"Didn’tyoutreatherwell？"
　　Mitchellremovedhispipeanddrewalongbreath。
　　"Ah，well，Itriedto，"hesaidwearily。
　　"Well，didyouputyourtheoryintopractice？"
　　"Idid，"saidMitchellverydeliberately。
　　Joewaited，butnothingcame。
　　"Well？"heaskedimpatiently，"Howdiditact？Diditworkwell？"
　　"Idon’tknow，"saidMitchell（puff）;"sheleftme。"
　　"What！"
　　Mitchelljerkedthehalf-smokedpipefromhismouth，andrappedtheburningtobaccooutagainstthetoeofhisboot。
　　"Sheleftme，"hesaid，standingupandstretchinghimself。
　　Then，withaviciousjerkofhisarm，"Sheleftmefor——
　　anotherkindofafellow！"
　　Helookedeasttowardsthepublic-house，wheretheyweretakingthecoach-horsesfromthestable。
　　"Whydon’tyoufinishyourtea，Joe？Thebilly’sgettingcold。"
　　MitchellonWomen"Allthesame，"saidMitchell’smate，continuinganargumentbythecamp-fire;
　　"allthesame，Ithinkthatawomancanstandcoldwaterbetterthanaman。
　　Why，whenIwasstayinginaboarding-houseinDunedin，oneverycoldwinter，therewasaladylodgerwhowentdowntotheshower-bathfirstthingeverymorning;nevermissedone;sometimeswentinfreezingweatherwhenIwouldn’tgointoacoldbathforafiver;andsometimesshe’dstayundertheshowerfortenminutesatatime。"
　　"How’dyouknow？"
　　"Why，myroomwasnearthebath-room，andIcouldheartheshowerandtapgoing，andherflounderingabout。"
　　"Hearyourgrandmother！"exclaimedMitchell，contemptuously。
　　"Youdon’tknowwomenyet。Wasthiswomanmarried？Didshehaveahusbandthere？"
　　"No;shewasayoungwidow。"
　　"Ah！well，itwouldhavebeenthesameifshewasayounggirl——
　　oranoldone。Weretheresomepassablemen-boardersthere？"
　　"_I_wasthere。"
　　"Oh，yes！ButImean，werethereanytherebesideyou？"
　　"Oh，yes，therewerethreeorfour;therewas——aclerkanda————"
　　"Nevermind，aslongastherewassomethingwithtrouserson。
　　Diditeverstrikeyouthatshenevergotintothebathatall？"
　　"Why，no！Whatwouldshewanttogothereatallfor，inthatcase？"
　　"Tomakeanimpressiononthemen，"repliedMitchellpromptly。
　　"Shewantedtomakeoutshewasnice，andwholesome，andwell-washed，andparticular。MadeanimpressiononYOU，itseems，oryouwouldn’trememberit。"
　　"Well，yes，Isupposeso;and，nowIcometothinkofit，thebathdidn’tseemtoinjurehermake-uporwetherhair;
　　butIsupposedsheheldherheadfromundertheshowersomehow。"
　　"Didshemake-upsoearlyinthemorning？"askedMitchell。
　　"Yes——I’msure。"
　　"That’sunusual;butitmighthavebeensowheretherewasalotofboarders。
　　Andaboutthehair——thatdidn’tcountforanything，becausewashing-the-headain’tsupposedtobealwaysincludedinalady’sbath;it’sonlysupposedtobewashedonceafortnight，andsomedon’tdoitonceamonth。
　　Thehairtakessolongtodry;itdon’tmattersomuchifthewoman’sgotshort，scraggyhair;butifagirl’shairwasdowntoherwaistitwouldtakehourstodry。"
　　"Well，howdotheymanageitwithoutwettingtheirheads？"
　　"Oh，that’seasyenough。Theyhavealittleoilskincapthatfitstightovertheforehead，andtheyputiton，andbunchtheirhairupinitwhentheygoundertheshower。Didyoueverseeawomansitinasunnyplacewithherhairdownafterhavingawash？"
　　"Yes，IusedtoseeonedothatregularwhereIwasstaying;
　　butIthoughtsheonlydidittoshowoff。"
　　"Notatall——shewasdryingherhair;thoughperhapsshewasshowingoffatthesametime，forshewouldn’tsitwhereyou——orevenaChinaman——
　　couldseeher，ifshedidn’tthinkshehadagoodheadofhair。
　　Now，I’LLtellyouayarnaboutawoman’sbath。Iwasstoppingatashabby-genteelboarding-houseinMelbourneonce，andoneverycoldwinter，too;andtherewasarathergood-lookingwomanthere，lookingforahusband。Sheusedtogodowntothebatheverymorning，nomatterhowcolditwas，andflounderandsplashaboutasifsheenjoyedit，tillyou’dfeelasthoughyou’dliketogoandcatchholdofherandwrapherinarugandcarryherintothefireandnursehertillshewaswarmagain。"
　　Mitchell’smatemoveduneasily，andcrossedtheotherleg;
　　heseemedgreatlyinterested。
　　"Butsheneverwentintothewateratall！"continuedMitchell。
　　"Assoonasoneortwoofthemenwasupinthemorningshe’dcomedownfromherroominadressing-gown。Itwasatoneydressing-gown，too，andsetheroffproperly。Sheknewhowtodress，anyway;
　　mostofthatsortofwomendo。Thegownwasakindofgreencolour，withpinkandwhiteflowersalloverit，andredlining，andalotofcoffee-colouredlaceroundtheneckanddownthefront。
　　Well，she’dcometrippingdownstairsandalongthepassage，holdinguponesideofthegowntoshowherlittlebarewhitefootinaslipper;
　　andintheotherhandshecarriedhertooth-brushandbath-brush，andsoap——likethis——so’sweallcouldsee’em;tryingtomakeoutshewastooparticulartousesoapafteranyoneelse。
　　Shecouldaffordtobuyherownsoap，anyhow;itwashardlyeverwet。
　　"Well，she’dgointothebathroomandturnonthetapandshower;
　　whenshegotaboutthreeinchesofwaterinthebath，she’dstepin，holdinguphergownoutofthewater，andgoslitheringandkickingupanddownthebath，likethis，makingatremendoussplashing。
　　Ofcourseshe’dturnofftheshowerfirst，andscrewitoffverytight——
　　wouldn’tdotoletthatleak，youknow;shemightgetwet;
　　butshe’dleavetheothertapon，soastomakeallthemorenoise。"
　　"Buthowdidyoucometoknowallaboutthis？"
　　"Oh，theservantgirltoldme。Onemorningshetwiggedherthroughacornerofthebathroomwindowthatthecurtaindidn’tcover。"
　　"Youseemtohavebeenprettythickwithservantgirls。"
　　"Sodoyouwithlandladies！Butnevermind——letmefinishtheyarn。
　　Whenshethoughtshe’dsplashedenough，she’dgetout，wipeherfeet，washherfaceandhands，andcarefullyunbuttonthetwotopbuttonsofhergown;
　　thenthrowatoweloverherheadandshoulders，andlistenatthedoortillshethoughtsheheardsomeofthemenmovingabout。
　　Thenshe’dstartforherroom，and，ifshemetoneofthemen-boardersinthepassageoronthestairs，she’ddrophereyes，andpretendtoseeforthefirsttimethatthetopofherdressing-gownwasn’tbuttoned——
　　andshe’dgivealittlestartandgrabthegownandscurryofftoherroombuttoningitup。