to sprinkle
they'd think half a mile too far to go to see their sweetheart. I
think the heart of the world must be dyin' out."

"You'll tell me about Jim Clay, won't you?" I said; "for I am an
Australian--one of those you consider entitled to be termed a real
aristocrat. My people for several generations have practically worked
in the building of the State, though I must admit they belonged to the
leisured class at home."

"Well, that ain't nothink agen 'em when they don't make it nothink
agen 'em, if you understand. If a swell can prove hisself as good an'
useful a man as another, he deserves the credit, an' comes out ahead
too, because he has the education, an' sometimes that is useful. I'll
tell you about me young days. Lately me mind seems to be goin' back
more an' more to old times."

"Grandma! Grandma!" called Dawn's rich young voice, "come to tea.
Andrew and Carry want to go up town after."

As I turned and looked at this glowing vision I laughed to think of
her as a "little winjin' thing," and was grateful to the good offices
of old Ladybird with the dew-lap and a crumpled horn.

"You needn't be in such a hurry all of a suddent," said grandma
crossly. "It's a different tune w'en _you're_ hangin' over the fence
talkin' somewhere. There's no hurry roundin' me in to tea _then_!"

We lingered awhile watching the afterglow above the great range
dividing the coast land from the vast stretches of the interior, and
which was no longer an impassable barrier to the people of the State.
Now the train toiled over a stile-like way connecting east and west,
and Noonoon and Kangaroo, divided by a mile and the river, nestled
immediately at the foot of the zigzag climb.

They lay asleep against the ranges in a slow-going world of their own,
their little houses gleaming white in the fading light.

There was a flush on the old woman's face as she turned
houseward--also an afterglow. 'Twas a fitting nook for her present
days, the decline of those splendidly vigorous years behind! What
satisfaction to look back on strenuous, fruitful years, and be able to
afford rest during the last stages!

I, too, had rest; but it was only the ignominious idleness of a young
boat with a broken propeller yarded among honourably worn-out craft to
await a foundering.

FOUR.

DAWN'S AMBITION.

After tea grandma took to reading the 'Noonoon Advertiser'--a
four-sheet weekly publication containing local advertisements, weather
re