Page:The romance of Runnibede (IA romanceofrunnibe00rudd).pdf/105

ing away like fury to that young black gin. Mother knows her, old fat Maria’s daughter, that comes with her to the kitchen sometimes.

Mother opened her eyes and fixed them on the Governor. But that wasn’t all. for I felt myself getting important.

"And my word, she understood every word that Tom said, too. You should have heard her giggle, mother, and seen her look sideways at Tom when he-

"Jim!" mother interrupted in anger. But as the Governor didn’t seem to mind I thought I’d keep going— "when he poked her in the ribs-"

Just then mother rose and whacked me on the ear, and cried: "How dare you talk of what you see the men do, you bad fellow. Be off to bed this minute!"

I went off sullenly.

A furious storm rose one night, and among the things it damaged was the single men’s hut. While trying to get out before it fell on him, Warabah nearly broke his ankle, and was put right out of action as far as the mustering was concerned.

"There’s nothing else for it now, as far as I can see," the Governor said recretfully, "but for Jim to give us a hand."

"Well, if he does, it must be the first and last time, Edward," mother answered, as she bowed to the inevitable.

So when the Governor told me next morning to see to my riding gear, and take Wallaroo for a second mount, I thought myself a full grown man