Page 135 - A Little Bush Maid

"All right, Evans!" Jim appeared in the doorway, staggering under a big
Gladstone bag. Billy, similarly laden, followed. His black face was

unusually solemn.

"Chuck ’em in, Billy. Come on, you chaps!"

The chaps appeared.

"Good-bye, Norah. Tt’s been grand!" Harry pumped her hand vigorously.

"Wish you were coming!" said Wally dismally. "Good-bye. Write to us,
won’t you, Norah?"

"Now then, Master Jim!" Evans glanced at his watch.

"Right oh!" said Jim. He put his arm round the little girl’s shoulders and
looked keenly into her face. There was no hint of breaking down. Norah

met his gaze steadily and smiled at him. But the boy knew.

"Good-bye, little chap," he said, and kissed her. "You’ll keep your pecker
up?"

She nodded. "Good-bye, Jimmy, old boy."

Jim sprang into the buggy.

"All right, Evans."

They whirled down the drive. Looking back, waving their caps, the boys

carried away a memory of a brave little figure, erect, smiling and lonely on
the doorstep.