in India, and father wouldn't live in England. He
hates it."

"And do you like Australia?"

"I've only seen about a week of it. Do you know, it seems to me a more
serious life than in England. Look at Mrs. Gordon, what a lot of people
she has dependent on her. The station-hands and their wives, all come to
her. In England she might visit them and give them tracts and blankets,
but here what they want is advice and help in all sorts of things. You
know what I mean?"

"Yes. She is a fine old lady, isn't she? A real character. You will be
sure to like her."

"Yes. I think I shall be very happy here. Father is anxious I should
like this place, as he may come up here to live, and I'm sure I shall
like it. You see, there is work to do here. Miss Harriott and Mrs.
Gordon are at work from daylight till dark; what with the children, the
house, the store and visitors, there really isn't time to feel lonely.
Don't you think people are much happier when they have a lot to do? Do
you live--"

"I live in two rooms and get my meals at an hotel, Miss Grant. I have
never had any home life. I never knew what it meant till now."

"You must come out again when you are down this way. The--what's that?"

A dog barked furiously in the distance, and the others rushed to join
him from all directions, yelping and squealing with excitement. The
whole party set off at a run, amid cheers and laughter.

"What is it, what is it?" said Mary.

"One of the dogs has found a 'possum up a tree, and the children will
try to get him down. Come on! Mind where you go. The black shadows are
very hard to judge, and sometimes a log or a bush is hidden in them.
There goes Poss over a log," he added, in explanation of a terrific
crash and a shout of laughter from the others. "What is it, Emily?" he
asked as one of the children ran past.

"It's Thomas Carlyle has found one," she said, "and he never barks when
the 'possums are up big trees. He knows we can't get them then, so he
only looks in the saplings. The other dogs find them in the big trees,
but that's no good."

A sharp run brought the party to the foot of a small tree, surrounded by
a circle of dogs, all sitting on their tails and staring with whimpers
of anxiety up to the topmost branches, where a small furry animal
was perched. Mary Grant, under Blake's directions, got the animal
silhouetted against the moon, and saw clearly enough the sharp nose,
round ears, plump body, and prehensile tail