Page:Scented isles and coral gardens- Torres Straits, German New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies, by C.D. Mackellar, 1912.pdf/60

36 all about everything.” And so he did, and opened his heart and poured out all his grievances, wants, feelings, and everything. I encouraged him and let him talk on, knowing it was a real relief to the poor man to be able to just say out everything. I can quite understand it. If he is to keep any authority over these turbulent people of all sorts here, he has himself to be a very pattern of austerity and the power of the law personified. I feel quite sorry for him, and advised him to get married, so that he might have his wife to talk to; but there is no one here for him to marry. I all but offered to find him some one when I went south, and send her up, but recollected in time that however well-bred old maids' and old bachelors' children are, the old maids and old bachelors can scarcely be the ones to find husbands or wives for others when they have found none for themselves. He, however, brightens up now at the very sight of me, and I give him plenty of opportunities for a chat on the pier or the sands. I have faithful friends here: the policeman, the boy, the dog, and the cassowary, and I think Bridget too; but where all are so friendly it is needless to discriminate. And they thought I would find it dull here! My life has been a rich one these few days, and I enjoying every minute of it. Mrs. M'Nulty takes complete care of me, warns off those she deems undesirable, and tells me whom I am to know and whom not!

Sometimes when by myself in my chair on the verandah I laugh over it all, but I am sure I shall always have a warm place in my heart for this queer Thursday Island.

Mrs. M'Nulty brought in and introduced four men one night, a sort of deputation of the bachelors of the island. Two of them are in Burn Philp's store; another, Captain D, is manager of a