But the
sweets shrank into a simple "bakee custard!"
"This is what you might call style!" Mac and Brown of the Bulls declared,
as Cheon waved them to seats with the air of an Emperor, and for two
courses the dinner went forward according to its menu, but at the third
course tinned peaches had usurped the place of the "bakee custard."
Every one looked surprised, but, being of the bush-folk, accepted peaches
and cream without comment, until Cheon, seeing the surprise, and feeling
an explanation was due--anyway to the missus--bent over her and whispered
in a hoarse aside. "Pussy cat been tuck-out custard."
For a moment the bushmen bent over their plates, intent on peaches and
cream; but there is a limit to even a bushman's dignity, and with a
choking gulp Mac exploded, and Brown of the Bulls joining in with a roar
dragged down the Maluka's self-control; and as Cheon reiterated: "What
name all about laugh, missus," chuckled in sympathy himself. Brown of
the Bulls pulled himself together for a moment, once more to assure us
that he was "Satisfied so far.
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