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152 they can't do it, or if they really do, what can you expect from a parcel of girls? but they bother Prince as much as Fred and me do. But as the governor won't hear of me going up the Darling, it's very likely he would give you the billet, Copeland," said Louis.

"My father has no wish to part with you, George," said Jessie.

"Nor have I," said Allan, who had returned with the piece of wood he wanted. "We might make it as well worth your while as Mr. Hammond. You know my father is buying a new station a Gundabook, and he says he would like to send you to it, as Jamie can come home from school to be of some use at home. He would have sent me, but now that I am really learning I don't want to leave my little schoolmistress. But my father has such trust in you."

"But our station on the Darling is a far bigger one, and carries four times the sheep that Mr. Lindsay can put on Gundabook," said Louis; "and with my father going away a man would have more charge. George asked me if my father wanted a hand, Allan; I did not put it into his head."

"You see what it is to get a good character. It is new to me to be in such demand," said George.