Page:Coo-ee - tales of Australian life by Australian ladies.djvu/64

60 went into a singing chorus. 'Isn't it jolly?' I heard Miss Blount say to Mrs. Grimes; and the reply was, 'Yes, awfully; but it wasn't quite so jolly when you did go gipsying, a long time ago.'

After this we really made a start; and not too soon, for the long shadows showed that sunset was not far off. When Mrs. Drummond turned off, I, of course, prepared to accompany her.

'What are you thinking about?' called out Mrs. Creek; 'you are not going home, when Mr. Drummond does not return, you say, till to-morrow; you are to return with us.'

'I really must not. Robert might come back tonight; besides'—and she gave a meaning look at the already large party from our place.

'That's of no consequence,' replied Mrs. Creek, interpreting the glance. 'I can put the girls in one room.'

Mrs. Drummond still hesitating, Mrs. Creek said, 'Very well, if you won't come with us, we will go with you; so take your choice.'

'Then really in pure kindness to you I must accept your invitation, for I don't believe my larder contains anything but the remains of the chicken I had for dinner yesterday.'

So she came back with us. I had never seen her in such spirits, she was the gayest of us all. She made Folly prance and curvet, and jump over the fallen timber, and finished with a race with Miss Blount on some straight-running that led to the