e mistake."

"I remember the letter well," I said,--for we had all gone through
such documents in performing the important task of settling the
Period. "You were born in New South Wales, and the old lady in
England did not write till the following year."

"Who says so? How can you prove it? She wasn't at all the woman to
let a year go by before she congratulated her sister."

"We have your own signature affirming the date."

"How was I to know when I was born? All that goes for nothing."

"And unfortunately," said I, as though clenching the matter, "the
Bible exists in which your father entered the date with his usual
exemplary accuracy." Then he was silent for a moment as though having
no further evidence to offer. "Crasweller," said I, "are you not man
enough to do this thing in a straightforward, manly manner?"

"One year!" he exclaimed. "I only ask for one year. I do think that,
as the first victim, I have a right to expect that one year should be
granted me. Then Jack Neverbend shall have Little Christchurch, and
the sheep, and the cattle, and Eva also, as his own for ever and
ever,--or at any rate till he too shall be led away to execution!"

A victim; and execution! What language in which to speak of the great
system! For myself I was determined that though I would be gentle
with him I would not yield an inch. The law at any rate was with me,
and I did not think as yet that Crasweller would lend himself to
those who spoke of inviting the interference of England. The law was
on my side, and so must still be all those who in the Assembly had
voted for the Fixed Period. There had been enthusiasm then, and the
different clauses had been carried by large majorities. A dozen
different clauses had been carried, each referring to various
branches of the question. Not only had the period been fixed, but
money had been voted for the college; and the mode of life at the
college had been settled; the very amusements of the old men had been
sanctioned; and last, but not least, the very manner of departure had
been fixed. There was the college now, a graceful building surrounded
by growing shrubs and broad pleasant walks for the old men, endowed
with a kitchen in which their taste should be consulted, and with a
chapel for such of those who would require to pray in public; and all
this would be made a laughing-stock to Britannula, if this old man
Crasweller declined to enter the gates. "It must be done," I said in
a to