Page 73 - A Little Bush Maid

"T must apologize for my intrusion, T’m afraid," the Hermit said. "Miss
Norah was good enough to ask me to come. T--T’ve brought my damper!"

He exhibited the article half shyly, and the boys recovered themselves and

laughed uncontrollably. Jim sprang to his feet. The Hermit’s first words had
told him that this was no common swagman that Norah had picked up.

"T’m very glad to see you, sir," he said, holding out his hand.

"Thank you," said the Hermit gravely. "You’re Jim, aren’t you? And T
conclude that this gentleman is Harry, and this Wally? Ah, T thought so.
Yes, T haven’t seen so many people for ages. And black Billy! How are you

Billy?"

Billy retreated in great embarrassment.

"Plenty!" he murmured.

Everybody laughed again.

"Well," Jim said, "we’re hungry, Norah. T hope you and--er--this gentleman
are." Jim was concealing his bewilderment like a hero. "Won’t you sit down

and sample Billy’s blackfish? He caught ’em all--we couldn’t raise a bite
between us--barring Wally’s boot!"

"Did you catch a boot?" queried the Hermit of the blushing Wally. "Mine, T
think-- T can’t congratulate you on your luck! Tf you like, after lunch, T’ll

show you a place where you could catch fish, if you only held the end of
your finger in the water!"

"Good enough!" said Jim. "Thanks, awfully--we’ll be jolly glad. Come on,
Billy--trot out your frying-pan!"

Lunch began rather silently.

Tn their secret hearts the boys were rather annoyed with Norah.