of tears. Mrs. Haddon had resumed her seat, and for a moment
the eyes of the two women met; then, much to the boy's astonishment, Miss
Chris covered her face with her hands and darted forward and knelt by his
mother's side, and there was a repetition of the incident in which he had
figured a few hours earlier. Mrs. Haddon clasped Christina to her tender
breast, and spoke little soothing speeches over the fair head, whilst
Chris wept a little, and laughed a little, and clung tightly to her
friend.

'Yes, yes, I know, my dear,' whispered Mrs. Haddon. 'I know, I know. But
don't you fret. It'll all come out right.'

The women seemed thoroughly to understand each other, but to Dick this
was quite inexplicable. He perceived, however, that Miss Chris was
troubled in some way, and all his romantic chivalrous feelings were
stirred, and his determination to spare her at all costs was strengthened
again. Looking at the pair, and remembering the consolation he had
derived from his mother's strong embrace, the boy wondered what peculiar
virtue lay in that kindly bosom that seemed to make it the natural refuge
of the afflicted; and, wondering, he stole out and left the two together.

When the women of Waddy had anything exceptional to talk about they
talked amazingly, and on this particular Monday there was so much of
interest to be discussed that even the most voluble could only do justice
to the subjects by neglecting domestic duties and devoting themselves to
back-gate arguments. Harry Hardy's accident was considered and debated
from many points of view. Harry was twice reported dead during the
morning--on the authority of Mrs. Ben Steven and Mrs. Sloan--but this was
contradicted by Mrs. Justin, who declared that the young man still
breathed, but was suffering from many and various injuries which she
alone was able to minutely describe. Then Mrs. Hardy arrived home from
Yarraman, and it became known that the injuries were not likely to prove
mortal; so the subject lost interest and was abandoned in favour of
Richard Haddon and his blood thirsty gang. 'The boy Haddon' had been
captured after a desperate encounter, and would be called upon to stand
his trial, along with the poor lads he had so grievously misled, at
Yarrarnan next day. It was conceded that he was about to meet his deserts
at last; but there was some slight difference of opinion as to the exact
nature of Dick's deserts. Some of the ladies thought ten years'
imprison