Page:Coo-ee - tales of Australian life by Australian ladies.djvu/76

72 'I think you are making a great mistake in staying, he said, interrupting me after he had listened silently for some time. 'You are worth pay, of course, or Creek wouldn't keep you on; but it isn't fair to your father to give your services for nothing.'

'You would advise me, then, to ask for a salary?'

'Well, I don't advise you at all in the matter, that is your own affair; but I'll tell you what I'll do. I will take you on in Gardiner's place. I won't promise you the same pay, because you are not an old station hand like him, but I'll do what's fair.'

Seeing that I hesitated, for the idea of being actually at Quondong startled me into silence, he continued,—

'It's better than staying at Grettan even with a screw, with the sheep I have, and my management. Creek knows about as much as a black fellow about sheep; you will learn far more here. Of course, though you take Gardiner's place, you will be on a different footing. The fact is, I want some one I can trust to act immediately under me, and I think you will do.'

Then he stopped and went on smoking, not looking directly at me; but I could see that his sharp little eyes were watching me furtively all the same.

'It is very good of you,' I answered slowly, 'and I should like the billet.'

'Then why don't you take it?' he said quickly. 'The screw shall be (and he named a fair enough sum), and your quarters—at the station, though,' adding the last few words after a momentary pause.