" The debbil-debbils were supposed to haunt the
Maluka's telescope, for Maudie, on putting her eye to the sight opening,
to find out what interested the Maluka so often, had found the trees on
the distant plain leaping towards her.
"Debbil-debbil, sit down," she screamed, as, flinging the telescope from
her in a frenzy of fear, she found the distance still and composed,
"No more touch him, missus!" she shrieked, as I stooped to pick up the
telescope. "'Spose you touch him, all about there come on quick fellow.
Me bin see him! My word him race!"
After many assurances, I was allowed to pick it up, Maudie crouching in a
shuddering heap the while behind the office, to guard against surprises.
Next morning she applied for leave of absence and "went bush." Jimmy's
Nellie, however, was not so easily scared, and after careful
investigation treated herself to a pleasant half hour with the telescope.
"Tree all day walk about," she said, explaining the mystery to the staff;
and the looking-glass speedily lost in favour. The telescope proved full
of delights.
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