ways that took Powell's fancy. If a fairy
could only move a lot of the women from the places where they are not
wanted, and put them where they are, there would be a wonderful
thinning taken out of Scotland and planted in Australia. But ye see
there are no fairies; and at such a distance, it costs a lot of money
to move such commodities as single women. I have puzzled my brains
whiles about the matter, Miss Jane, and many a time I have repented
coming back to a place where hands are many and meat is scarce; but it
will not be for long; and in the meantime I try to help all the
distressed bodies that I know about; and that I have kept my five
bairns from being a burden to anybody, is enough work for any woman
either here or in Australia. I'm going off of my story; but the marvel
to me that I was so beset with sweethearts that did not want them,
while so many lasses here never Can see the sight of one, always makes
me think that there should be a medium, and that lasses should neither
be ower much made of or neglected altogether. But to go back to the
bush. I had to rule with a high hand at Barragong, and really to demean
myself as if I were the mistress, to keep folk in their place. But the
worst was to come.

"The master had not been well for a week or so, and I had taken
especial care of him, and got him gruel and such like, that he seemed
very glad of; and he was getting better, and was sitting by the fire
while I was setting down the supper, when he said--No, I cannot tell
you what he said. No; he was not well, and may be did not know exactly
what he was about. I cannot tell his words, though they are burned into
my memory as clear and distinct as though I had heard them but
yesterday, but they were most unbefitting words for him to say or for
me to hear.

"I stood still for a whole minute or more, and looked him in the face.
He did not like the fixed steady way I kept my eyes on him.

"'Say such a thing again if you dare,' said I. 'You had no such thought
in your head or your heart when you brought me out to Barragong. I knew
that by your eyes. You must treat me respectfully if you mean to call
yourself a gentleman.'

"'Don't be so very hot, Peggy. You have made a fellow so comfortable,
that he may be excused for thinking more of you than he used to do,'
says he.

"'Think more of me!' says I; 'you think less of me, or you would not
dare----'

"'What was I to fancy,' says he, 'when you refuse Powell so
perti