er and the Australian, she attached no distinct meaning to it, but
spoke out with all the simplicity of an independent power, knowing all
authority and executive force to lie in her own hands alone.

"When do you think you can be ready to start? My mind is made up. I
shall set to work immediately to prepare," said Nettie. "Now, look here,
Susan: you have been thinking of it for months, so it is not like taking
you by surprise. There is a ship that sails on the 24th. If everything
is packed and ready, will you consent to go on that day?"

Mrs Fred started with unfeigned surprise, and, not without a little
consternation, turned her eyes towards her friend before answering her
sister. "It is just Nettie's way," cried Susan--"just how she always
does--holds out against you to the very last, and then turns round and
darts off before you can draw your breath. The 24th! and this is the
19th! Of course we can't do it, Nettie. I shall want quantities of
things, and Mr Chatham, you know, is not used to your ways, and can't
be whisked off in a moment whenever you please."

"I daresay it's very kind of Mr Chatham," said Nettie; "but I can take
you out very well by myself--just as well as I brought you here. And
I can't afford to get you quantities of things, Susan. So please to
understand I am going off to pack up, and on the 24th we shall go."

Once more, under Nettie's impatient eyes, a look and a smile passed
between her sister and the Australian. Never very patient at any time,
the girl was entirely aggravated out of all toleration now.

"I can't tell what you may have to smile to each other about," said
Nettie. "It is no very smiling business to me. But since I am driven to
it, I shall go at once or not at all. And so that you understand me,
that is all I want to say."

With which words she disappeared suddenly to the multitudinous work that
lay before her, thinking as little of Susan's opposition as of the
clamour raised by the children, when the hard sentence of going half
an hour earlier to bed was pronounced upon them. Nettie's haste and
peremptoriness were mixed, if it must be told, with a little resentment
against the world in general. She had ceased being sad--she was roused
and indignant. By the time she had subdued the refractory children, and
disposed of them for the night, those vast Australian boxes, which they
had brought with them across the seas, were placed in the little hall,
under the pale light of the l