shing."

"And what's to become of my patients?"

"You haven't got any," I said. "You told me so last time."

"True, O King Joseph! I've come to the wrong place; you don't want many
doctors in Australia. Why, nurse, how this fellow grows!"

"I wish he'd grow good," cried the old lady. "He's always doing
something to worry away his poor ma's and my life."

"Why, what's the matter now, nurse?"

"Matter, sir! Why, he's took it into his head to go looking for his
poor dear dead-and-gone pa. Do, do please tell him he mustn't think of
such things."

"Why, Joe!" cried the doctor, turning sharply round to me, and ceasing
to beat his high boots with his long-thonged whip.

"I don't care what anybody says," I cried, stamping my foot. "I've made
up my mind, and mean to go to New Guinea to find my father."

"There, doctor, did you ever hear any one so wickedly obstinate before?"
cried nurse. "Isn't it shocking? and his ma that delicate and worried
living all alone, like, here out in these strange parts, and him as
ought to be a comfort to her doing nothing but hanker after running away
to find him as is dead and gone."

"He's not dead, nurse; he's only gone," I cried; "and I mean to find
him, as sure as I live. There, that I will."

"There, doctor, did you ever hear such a boy?" cried nurse.

"Never," said the doctor. "Why, Joe, my boy," he cried as I stood
shrinking from him, ready to defend myself from his remonstrances, "your
ideas do you credit. I didn't think you had it in you."

"Then you don't think it is wrong of me, doctor?" I said, catching his
hand.

"No, my boy, I do not," he said gravely; "but it is a task for strong
and earnest men."

"But I am strong," I said; "and if I'm not a man I'm in real earnest."

"I can see that, my lad," said the doctor, with his brown forehead
filling with thoughtful wrinkles; "but have you counted the cost?"

"Cost!" I said. "No. I should get a passage in a coaster and walk all
the rest of the way."

"I mean cost of energy: the risks, the arduous labours?"

"Oh, yes," I said; "and I sha'n't mind. Father would have done the same
if I was lost."

"Of course he would, my lad; but would you go alone?"

"Oh, no," I replied, "I should take a guide."

"Ah, yes; a good guide and companion."

"There, Master Joseph, you hear," said nurse. "Doctor Grant means that
sarcastical."

"No, I do not, nurse," said the doctor quietly; "for I think it a very
brave