Page:Coo-ee - tales of Australian life by Australian ladies.djvu/137

Rh 'Tired of it? No; we are such friends, Clive and I. We have such a community of interests and hopes. Ah, he is a dear boy! We are never idle, and we never have ennui.'

'What well-constituted minds you must have. I should die of it,' I said dryly. 'I like my brothers very well. On the whole, I think we are a fairly united family; but to put up with one from year's end to year's end up there in those dismal hills--gur-r!--it would be the death of me. You certainly are a devoted sister and brother.'

I finished laughing and looking at her. She got pink, and the corner of her mouth gave one vicious droop, then it pulled itself together and spoke gaily,--

'Yes; I suppose we are peculiarly devoted. Many things have combined to draw us close. Some day I--I will tell you; I can't now,' she said, with a small break in her voice. 'Ah, not here--in this sunlight--before these girls, untouched by sorrow.'

I wondered if she acted as well on the stage as off. I found later she didn't--not by a long chalk. She was a most painful stick as soon as she touched the boards. Society drama was her mélier.

Just then Clive came up. I saw him throw one quick uneasy glance on her, then he stretched himself down on the grass and began to talk.

He was a nice fellow, and full of a soft, gentle sort of fun; and without any doubt his eyes were entrancing, and they seemed strangely occupied with his