Page:The romance of Runnibede (IA romanceofrunnibe00rudd).pdf/53

Then big Miss Rumble took then in hand.

"You, Zulu—you. Tar-pot," said she, "talk English," and she moved her lips in dumb fashion to give them the cue.

"Gov'nor big ass," responded Zulu, in a tenor voice.

"Gov'nor him fool," came gruffly from Tar-pot.

The Governor dropped his notebook, he got such a surprise, while the shrieks of the Governess echoing round the homestead seared all the crows.

"Ooh, you young monkeys, that's naughty to say that!" and Dorothy held up her finger to them.

"Gov'nor, ass," repeated Zulu, a note higher, and "Gov nor, fool," croaked Tar-pot, a tone lower.

"Just so." the old Governor nodded amusedly at Tar-pot, and throwing the reins over Hyperion's head, mounted and started to ride away. But he had only gone a few paces when Ted, standing aloof, taking no interest in Zulu and Tar-pot "talking English," burst into blubbers, and bellowed like a calf being branded with a hot iron. The Governor stopped the horse and turned half-round.

"Can't we go, too, father, and see the mob?" blubbered Ted, while I remained downcast and miserable looking. In fact, we had pestered the Governor up to bed-time the evening before for leave to go and see the travelling mob being watered at Curlew Lagoon, and so renewed the appeal again that morning: had, in fact, gone off breakfast, fretting over it. So between Ted's tears and bellows, and my look of utter misery, the Governor weakened at the last moment. We had an idea he would.