helped Tommy in the house. Every one was satisfied, and already
there were indications that Tommy would be daft over the baby.

Sarah came out now to say that tea was ready--she had insisted on being
responsible for everything on this first day. Not that there was much
to do, for Brownie had sent over a colossal hamper, declaring that Miss
Tommy shouldn't be bothered with thinking about food when she wasn't
'ardly settled. So they packed into the little dining-room; where,
indeed, it took no small ingenuity to stow so large a party, when three
of the six happened to be of the size of David Linton and Jim and Wally;
and Tommy did the honours of her own table for the first time.

"And to think," she said presently, "that six months ago there was only
Lancaster Gate! Of course, there was always Bob"--she flashed him a
quick smile--"but Bob was--"

"In the air," put in Norah.

"Very much so. And it didn't seem a bit certain that I could ever get
him out of it; or, if I did, that I could ever escape from Lancaster
Gate."

"And you wouldn't, if the she-dragon had had her way," Bob said.

"No. There was nothing to do but run. But even when I dreamed of
running, I never thought of more than a workman's cottage, with you
earning wages and me trying to make both ends meet. And now--look at us!
Bloated capitalists and station owners."

"Well, you were a cook not so long ago. I wouldn't be too proud," Wally
gibed.

"All the more reason for me to be proud--I've risen in the world,"
declared Tommy. "Left my situation to better myself--isn't that
the right way to put it? And we've got the jolliest home in
Australia--thanks to all of you. Do have some more cake, Mr. Linton; I'd
love to say I made it myself, but Brownie did--still, all the same, it's
mine."

"Don't you worry," he told her. "I'm coming here plenty of times for
cake of your own baking."

"That's what I want." She beamed at him. "All of you. Bob and I will
feel lost and lonesome if we don't see you all--oh, often."

"But you're going to," Norah said. "We'll be over goodness knows how
many times a week, and you two are always coming to dinner on Sunday,
and ever so many other days as well."

"Was it in your plans that any work should be done on this estate?"
queried Bob solemnly.

"Why, yes, in your spare time," Wally answered. "Any time you're not on
the road between here and Billabong, or catching a horse to go there, or
letting one go after coming back,