Here and there a
dog lay, stretched out in the shade, sniffing in idle curiosity at the
blossoms as they fell, well satisfied with what life had to give just
then; while at their master's feet lay the traveller who was to leave
such haunting memories behind him: William Neaves, born at Woolongong,
with somewhere there a mother going quietly about her work, wondering
vaguely perhaps where her laddie was that day.
Poor mother! Yet, when even that knowledge came to her, it comforted her
in her sorrow to know that a woman had stood beside that grave mourning
for her boy in her name.
Quietly the Maluka read on to the end; and then in the hush that followed
the mate stooped, and, with deep lines hardening rigidly, picked up a
spade. There was no mistaking his purpose; but as he straightened
himself the Dandy's hand was on the spade and the Maluka was speaking.
"Perhaps you'll be good enough to drive the missus back to the house
right away," he was saying, "I think she has had almost more than she can
stand."
The man looked hesitatingly at him. "If you'll be good enough," the
Maluka added, "I should not leave here myself till all is completed.
Pages:
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265