Page 43 - A Little Bush Maid

All the brushwood and trees had been cleared away, leaving a broad
pathway to the creek. At the edge of the gap a big board, nailed to a tall

tree, bore the word FORD in large letters. Farther on, between the trees, a
glimpse of shining water caught the eye.

"That’s the way father’s had all the fords marked," Norah said. "He says it’s
no good running risks for the sake of a little trouble."

"Dad’s always preaching that," Jim observed. "He says people are too fond

of putting up with makeshifts, that cost ever so much more time and trouble
than it does to do a thing thoroughly at the start. So he always makes us do
a thing just as well as we know how, and there’s no end of rows if he finds

any one ’half doing’ a job. ’Begin well and finish better,’ he says. My word,
it gives you a lesson to see how he fixes a thing himself."

"Dear old Dad," said Norah softly, half to herself.

"T think your father’s just splendid," Harry said enthusiastically. "He does
give you a good time, too."

"Yes, T know he does," Jim said. "T reckon he’s the best man that ever lived!
All the same, he doesn’t mean to give me a good time always. When T leave

school T’ve got to work and make my own living, with just a start from him.
He says he’s not going to bring any boy up to be a loafer." Jim’s eyes grew

soft. "T mean to show him T can work, too," he said.

They were at the water’s edge, and the ponies gratefully put their heads

down for a drink of the cool stream that clattered and danced over its stony
bed. After they had finished, Jim led the way through the water, which was

only deep enough to wash the ponies’ knees. When they had climbed the
opposite bank, a wide, grassy plain stretched before them.

"We cut across here," Norah explained, "and pick up the creek over
there--that saves a good deal."

"Does Billy know this cut?" Harry queried.