Page:In bad company and other stories.djvu/292

 seen him last.) Well, sir! what can I do for you? Sheep been trespassing, I suppose?

. No, Mr. Polyblock, such is not the case. Nor will it matter to me in future. I have sold my land.

. Sold the s'lection! You don't say so! Who to? who to? Mr. Eggermont, why didn't you come to me, if you wanted to part with it? I'd have given you anything in reason.

. You must pardon me for reminding you, Mr. Polyblock, that your manner was not reassuring at our last interview.

. Perhaps not—rather hasty, I know. Mustn't mind an old man ; but who's got the s'lection?

. I disposed of it to Mr. Allround in the township, from whom I received a cheque, paying me in full for all improvements and loss of time.

. Bonus Allround! Good shot! It's all right—you've sold to me through him—he's my agent. I should have been sold, my word! if any other buyer had come in there. And now what are you a-goin' to do? You're a man of capital now, you know!

. I was fortunate enough to have a moderate legacy left me by an uncle just before I went to Sydney. While there, under advice, I invested eight thousand pounds in a run called Banda Plains, on the Queensland border. They tell me it's a good purchase. There are two thousand cattle, besides horses.

. Good purchase, sir! It's the best thing in the market. Banda Plains, with only two thousand head of cattle—it's a gift—a reg'lar gift! Your fortune's made.

. It gratifies me to hear you say so, Mr. Polyblock—most deeply, I assure you. And now, sir, perhaps you will reconsider your rather strongly-expressed refusal to me of your daughter's hand?

(who has opened the door softly and stolen into the room). Oh, dad, you don't want to break your poor Dulcie's heart! I do love him so!

(clearing his throat and speaking in a parliamentary tone of voice}. Ahem! I am not aware, Mr. President, that there's anything in the Land Act or Regulations against the daughter of a M.L.C. marryin' a squatter—a