Page:Hornung - Irralies Bushranger.djvu/30

. The overseer and the store-keeper were natives of the colony; so were the entire managerial brood. Hodding had counted upon the arrival of an even newer chum than himself; he had pictured a sufficiently taking type, in rough English tweeds and ponderous boots. The same lively fancy had painted every cornstalk green with envy; and what had happened? Jevons, the storekeeper, was kicking him under the table; honest George Young looked green, indeed, but not with envy; and the son of an Earl was eating as heartily as if he looked what he was, instead of calling to every mind the common, ruffianly, pound-a-week hand.

"There is one more thing I must apologize for," said Mr. Villiers, a little tactlessly, before they left the table. "We hardly thought to see you before the Cup; and we expect a few folks here on Monday night, on their way down to it."

"To the Melbourne Cup?" said the owner, with his mouth full. "Yes, I hear