n old, congested cities, whose view of the starry
field was limited to a narrow strip, cut through house-tops.

Yet he walked with a springless tread. The fact was, certain of his
wife's words had struck home; and in the course of the past year he had
learnt to put considerable faith in Polly's practical judgment. As he
wound his way up the little hill to which he had often carried his
perplexities, he let his pipe go out, and forgot to whistle Pompey off
butcher's garbage.

Sitting down on a log he rested his chin in his hands. Below him
twinkled the sparse lights of the Flat; shouts and singing rose from
the circus.--And so John would have been willing to go surety for him!
Let no one say the unexpected did not happen. All said and done, they
were little more than strangers to each other, and John had no notion
what his money-making capacities as a doctor might be. It was true,
Polly had been too delicate to mention whether the affair had come
about through her persuasions or on John's own initiative. John might
have some ulterior motive up his sleeve. Perhaps he did not want to
lose his sister ... or was scheming to bind a pair of desirables fast
to this colony, the welfare of which he had so much at heart. Again, it
might be that he wished to buy off the memory of that day on which he
had stripped his soul naked. Simplest of all, why should he not be
merely trying to pay back a debt? He, Mahony, might shrink from lying
under an obligation to John, but, so far, the latter had not scrupled
to accept favours from him. But that was always the way with your rich
men; they were not troubled by paltry pride; for they knew it was
possible to acquit themselves of their debts at a moment's notice, and
with interest. This led him to reflect on the great help to him the
loan of his wealthy relative's name would be: difficulties would melt
before it. And surely no undue risk was involved in the use of it?
Without boasting, he thought he was better equipped, both by aptitude
and training, than the ruck of colonial practitioners. Did he enter the
lists, he could hardly fail to succeed. And out here even a moderate
success spelled a fortune. Gained double-quick, too. After which the
lucky individual sold out and went home, to live in comfort. Yes, that
was a point, and not to be overlooked. No definite surrender of one's
hopes was called for; only a postponement. Ten years might do it--meaty
years, of course, the best years of one