Then I will go and ask Gale to drive you back. I will give you all the
news when I return in the morning."

"Are you staying?" Gale exclaimed directly he saw him. "I've harnessed
up, so if you and Mrs. Eustace----"

"I'm staying, but she will come back with you--the experience has been
rather trying for her."

"Trying?" Gale exclaimed. "She's the noblest woman I've ever met. I
don't care what's the truth about the bank affair, but there's not a man
in Waroona who won't reverence that woman when he hears what she has
done to-night."

"I'll tell her you are ready," Harding answered.

"Where is she? Down at the huts? I'll drive down for her."

She was standing talking to the doctor when Harding returned.

"I'm more anxious about the old man," the doctor was saying as Harding
came up. "He'll want very careful nursing, so if you could undertake it,
you'll lift a weight off my shoulders."

"I will be ready to come out to-morrow if you want me," she answered.
"Send word by Mr. Harding when he comes in--he is going to stay here
to-night. You will bring me word, won't you?" she added, turning to
Harding. "Is Mr. Gale driving back?"

"He is coming now to pick you up--here he is," Harding replied as Gale's
buggy and pair swung into sight.

He helped her in and wrapped a rug round her.

"Don't be late in the morning--I shall be anxious to hear if the doctor
wants me," she said as Gale turned his horses and drove off.

"She's a splendid woman that," the doctor said as he stood looking after
the buggy disappearing in the dusk. "Pity she's tied to such a rat as
that chap Eustace. I suppose you know him?"

"I am in the bank," Harding answered.

"Oh, are you? Then perhaps I've put my foot in it?"

"I don't think so."

"Have you known him long?"

"Eustace? No, only since I've been in the branch--about three weeks."

"I should have judged you had known her for years."

"I have, but I have only known her husband since I have been here."

"Knew her before she was married?"

"That is so."

"Then tell me, why did she want to marry that rat? I've only seen him
once, but that was more than enough. Smoke! Women are regular
conundrums. There's that one, as true and big-hearted a creature as
ever breathed--look at the pluck she showed to-night--and yet she goes
and throws herself away on a miserable crawler who can't even respect
the trust his employers placed in him. What does it mean to her? Just
think of it--the wife