Page:In bad company and other stories.djvu/279

 waterhole where the willows are. Good-bye. Now then you naughty Sultan (canters off).

(sitting down on log). She has gone! disappeared like a beautiful dream. What a kind face it is too—anxious to be friendly, and yet, with maidenly diffidence, doubting the propriety. Polyblock! Dulcie! a sweet name. Dulce Domum—ha! shall I ever have a home in this wilderness? So she's the daughter of this old party who owns the Run—the Run—ha! ha! What an idea! This elderly fossil in aboriginal times fed his flocks and herds here. He doesn't know the difference between lease and freehold evidently. What ignorant people these Australians are! But the daughter—how could she have acquired that air of fierté, that aplomb, that intonation? I must consider my course. (Puts his head between his hands and seems lost in thought for some minutes.) I have resolved (rises and walks proudly erect) I will visit the old gentleman in his own house. I will convince him of his error. I will argue the point with him. I will show him this Act of Parliament—these Regulations (slaps book). I will appeal to him as an Englishman bound to respect the law. We shall then be on good terms. Perhaps I may even catch a sight of her. But I must finish. (Recommences chopping—sees a horseman approaching, and sits down on log. rides up.)

. Good day good day, Mr. Whatsisname! So you've sat down here permanent, it seems?

. My name is Egremont, if you will please to remember; yours I believe to be Gayters. I don't quite follow you about sitting down (rises); I get up occasionally, I assure you. But I have settled here permanently, as far as that goes.

. Oh yes, cert'nly, cert'nly, of course! We know all that. Heard it afore. But perhaps you'll hear reason (they mostly does). I'm here to make you an offer—so much on your bargain.

. I don't quite understand?

. Well (sits down), let's argue it out between man and man.

. I'm ready; which section do you refer to? (Takes up copy of Act.)

. Oh, blow the Act! What's it got to do with