Page 75 - A Little Bush Maid

old Turpentine, my snake, just to hear the sound of words again. However,
when these bad fits come upon me T know it’s a sign that T must get the axe

and go and chop down sufficient trees to make me tired. Then T go to sleep,
and wake up quite a cheerful being once more!"

He hesitated.

"And there’s one thing," he said slowly--"though it may be lonely here,
there is no one to trouble you; no one to treat you badly, to be ungrateful or

malicious; no bitter enemies, and no false friends, who are so much worse
than enemies. The birds come and hop about me, and T know that it is
because T like them and have never frightened them; old Turpentine slides

his ugly head over my knees, and T know he doesn’t care a button whether T
have any money in my pocket, or whether T have to go out into the scrub to

find my next meal! And that’s far, far more than you can say of most human
beings!"

He looked round on their grave faces, and smiled for the first time.

"This is uncommonly bad behaviour in a guest," he said cheerily. "To come
to lunch, and regale one’s host and hostess with a sermon! Tt’s too bad. T ask
your forgiveness, young people, and please forget all T said immediately.

No, Miss Norah, T won’t have any damper, thank you--after a three months’
course of damper one looks with joy once more on bread. Tf Wally will

favour me-- T think the correct phrase is will you ’chuck me the
butter?’"--whereat Wally "chucked" as desired, and the meal proceeded
merrily.