h Dicky's
face.

When the two had gone, Old Roses sat in his room, a handful of letters,
a photograph, and a couple of decorations spread out before him, his
fingers resting on them, his look engaged with a far horizon.

The Governor came. He was met outside the township by the citizens and
escorted in--a dusty and numerous cavalcade. They passed the Inspector's
house. The garden was blooming, and on the roof a flag was flying.
Struck by the singular character of the place Lord Malice asked who
lived there, and proposed stopping for a moment to make the acquaintance
of its owner; adding, with some slight sarcasm, that if the officers of
the Government were too busy to pay their respects to their Governor,
their Governor must pay his respects to them. But Old Roses was not in
the garden nor in the house, and they left without seeing him. He
was sitting under a willow at the billabong, reading over and over to
himself the address to be delivered before the Governor in the evening.
As he read his face had a wintry and inhospitable look.

The night came. Old Roses entered the dining-room quietly with the
crowd, far in the Governor's wake. According to his request, he was
given a seat in a distant corner, where he was quite inconspicuous. Most
of the men present were in evening dress. He wore a plain tweed suit,
but carried a handsome rose in his button-hole. It was impossible to put
him at a disadvantage. He looked distinguished as he was. He appeared to
be much interested in Lord Malice. The early proceedings were cordial,
for the Governor and his suite made themselves agreeable, and talk
flowed amiably. After a time there was a rattle of knives and forks,
and the Chairman rose. Then, after a chorus of "hear, hears," there
was general silence. The doorways of the room were filled by the
women-servants of the hotel. Chief among them was Vic, who kept her eyes
fixed on Old Roses. She knew that he was to read the address and speak,
and she was more interested in him and in his success than in Lord
Malice and his suite. Her admiration of him was great. He had always
treated her as though she had been born a lady, and it had done her
good.

"And I call upon Mr. Adam Sherwood to speak to the health of His
Excellency, Lord Malice."

In his modest corner Old Roses stretched to his feet. The Governor
glanced over carelessly. He only saw a figure in grey, with a rose in
his button-hole. The Chairman whispered that it was the o