Page:Kangaroo, 1923.pdf/144

 want; apart from all antics and ant-tricks. We have lighted such a fire this day, Master Latimer. Yes, and we'll light another. You needn't be with me if you don't want to—if you're frightened of losing your monopoly over your precious husband. Take him home then—take him home."

And he rolled his back on her more than ever, finishing in a sudden gust of anger and weariness. He lay there rolled in his chair, a big, queer, heavy figure, with his face almost buried in the soft leather, and his big hips sticking out. Her face was quivering, wanting to cry. Then suddenly she broke into a laugh, saying rather shakily, venomously:

"Well, anyhow, you needn't turn the wrong end of you at me quite so undisguisedly."

"How do you know it is the wrong end of me?" he said, sitting up suddenly and letting his head hang, scowling.

"Façon de parler," she said, laughing rather stiffly.

Somers was silent, and kept silent till the end. He was thankful that Kangaroo was fighting the battle this time.

Their host sent them home in his motor-car. Neither of them had anything to say. Then, as Harriet shut the door of Torestin, and they were quite alone, she said:

"Yes, he's right. I absolutely believe in him. I don't care what he does with you.'

"I do, though," said Somers.

The next day they went to Mullumbimby. And the day after that, each of them wrote a letter to Kangaroo.

"Dear Kaiser Kangaroo," began Harriet, "I must thank you very much for the dinner and the violets, which are still quite fresh and blue in Coo-ee. I think you were very horrid to me, but also very nice, so I hope you don't think the worst of me. I want to tell you that I do sympathise, and that I am awfully glad if I can be of any use to you in any way. I have a holy terror of ants since I heard you, but I know what you mean by the fire. Lovat will hand over my portion when he comes to see you. But I shall make myself into a Fire Brigade, because I am sure you will be kindling fires all over everywhere, under the table and in the clothes-cupboard, and I, poor domestic wretch, shall have to be rushing to put them out. Being