Page 130 - A Little Bush Maid

Mrs. Brown’s cooking was notable, and she had excelled herself over the
boys’ farewell tea. A big cold turkey sat side by side with a ham of majestic

dimensions, while the cool green of a salad was tempting after the hot walk.
There were jellies, and a big bowl of fruit salad, while the centre of the

table was occupied by a tall cake, raising aloft glittering white tiers. There
were scones and tarts and wee cakes, and dishes of fresh fruit, and
altogether the boys whistled long and softly, and declared that "Brownie

was no end of a brick!"

Whereat Mrs. Brown, hovering about to see that her charges wanted
nothing, smiled and blushed, and said, "Get on, now, do!"

Jim carved, and Jim’s carving was something to marvel at. No method came
amiss to him. When he could cut straight he did; at other times he sawed;

and, when it seemed necessary, he dug. After he had finished helping every
one, Wally said that the turkey looked as if a dog had been at it, and the
ham was worse, which remarks Jim meekly accepted as his due. Nor did

the inartistic appearance of the turkey prevent the critic from coming back
for more!

Everyone was hungry, and did full justice to "Brownie’s" forethought;
while Norah, behind the tall teapot, declared that it was a job for two men

and a boy to pour out for such a thirsty trio. Harry helped the fruit salad,
and Harry’s helpings were based on his own hunger, and would have suited

Goliath. Finally, Norah cut the cake with great ceremony, and Wally’s
proposal that everyone should retire to the lawn with a "chunk" was carried
unanimously.

Out on the grass they lay and chattered, while the dusk came down, and

slowly a pale moon climbed up into the sky. Norah alone was silent. After a
while Harry and Wally declared they must go and pack, and Jim and his
sister were left alone.

Wally and Harry scurried down the hail. The sound of their merry voices

died away, and there was silence on the lawn.