e, strong and impenetrable.'

Flippant! Ryder had appealed to Jim as anything but a flippant character.

'He is a man of good family. He came to Australia seeking change and
adventure. He is rich--very. He did Mr. Macdougal some service, and we
saw a good deal of him in Melbourne. Mrs. Macdougal thinks he is an earl
at least, and has woven quite a romance about him. She will be glad to
see you.'

Done's mind had flown to Burton's estimate of Ryder, and Lucy's evident
admiration of, him gave him a little uneasiness.

'Is Mrs. Macdougal of Boobyalla quite well?' he asked.

'Quite. But you must not laugh at her. One gets to like her.'

'If one is quite determined.'

'Whether or no,' persisted Lucy. 'One would care for nobody if one were
resolved to see only the bad points.'

'That serves me right. The little girl is very like her.'

'Eva is my boon companion, my confidante, my guide, philosopher, and
friend--aren't you, dear?'

'My oath!' said the child in a grave, sweet voice. Jim started at the
incongruous expression, and looked inquiringly at Lucy.

'Your teaching?'

'How dare you? No; that is the teaching of rouseabouts and gins. I am
trying to unteach it. Poor kiddies! I found them queer, wild, little Bush
animals, with no childish companions, so I became a child myself, and we
are the best mates in the world. The other is a boy, a monkey and a rip,
but we are civilizing together. Do you know the funniest things in the
world? Children like these and half-grown dogs. I discovered that at
Boobyalla.'

'The world is a pretty good sort of place, after all eh?'

'Yes.' She did not wonder at its seeming so very delightful to her just
then. 'But you do not tell me. Talk, talk! I want your Australian
history.'

He talked, describing his life, pleased with his own fluency, and not a
little surprised at it. In half an hour she knew his story since the day
he left the Francis Cadman, with certain judicious reservations and
emendations. Aurora's name did not appear once in the narrative. This
suppression was quite instinctive? Lucy told something of her existence
on the station, and they chatted cheerfully of the people on shipboard
and the incidents of the voyage, avoiding only the most sensational
incident of all--the rescue from the sea.

'Dear me I' cried Lucy; 'I am playing the hostess badly. I have offered
you nothing, and you must have had a long tramp.'

'And I've forgotten poor Burton.'

'Go, bring