"I've been thinking things over, boss," he said, assuming his most
philosophical manner "and I reckon any more rooms'll only interfere with
getting the missus educated."
Later on he used the servant question to hang his argument on. "Just
proves what I was saying" he said. "If the cleaning of one room causes
all this trouble and worry, where'll she be when she's got four to look
after? What with white ants, and blue mould, and mildew, and wrestling
with lubras, there won't be one minute to spare for education."
He also professed disapproval of the Maluka's devices for making the
homestead more habitable. "If this goes on we'll never learn her nothing
but loafin'", he declared when he found that a couple of yards of canvas
and a few sticks had become a comfortable lounge chair. "Too much
luxury!" and he sat down on his own heels to show how he scorned
luxuries. A tree sawn into short lengths to provide verandah seats for
all comers he passed over as doubtful. He was slightly reassured however,
when he heard that my revolver practice had not been neglected, and
condescended to own that some of the devices were "handy enough.
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