le who must do well, because you are so
keen. And Billabong has adopted you, and we're going to see that you
make a success of things. You're our very own immigrants!"

"It's nice to be owned by some one who isn't my step-mother," said Tommy
happily. "I began to think I was hers, body and soul--when she appeared
on that awful moment in Liverpool. I made sure all hope was over. Bob
says I shouldn't have panicked, but then Bob had not been a toad under
her harrow for two years."

"I'm very glad you panicked, since it sent you straight into our arms,"
said Norah. "If we had met you in an ordinary, stodgy way--you and Bob
presenting your letter of introduction, and we saying 'How do you do?'
politely--it would have taken us ages to get to know you properly.
And as it was, we jumped into being friends. You did look such a poor,
hunted little soul as you came dodging across that street!"

"And you took me on trust, when, for all you know, the police might have
been after me," said Tommy. "Well, we won't forget; not that I suppose
Bob and I will ever be able to pay you back."

"Good gracious, we don't want paying back!" exclaimed Norah, wrinkling
her nose disgustedly. "Don't talk such utter nonsense, Tommy Rainham.
And just hurry up and unpack, because tea will be ready at half-past
six."

"My goodness!" exclaimed the English girl, to whom dinner at half-past
seven was a custom of life not lightly to be altered. "And I haven't
half unpacked, and oh, where is my blue frock? I don't believe I've
brought it." She sought despairingly in the trunk.

"Yes, you have--I hung it up for you in the wardrobe ages ago," said
Norah. "And it doesn't matter if you don't finish before tea. There's
lots of time ahead. However, I certainly won't be dressed if I don't
hurry, because I've to see Brownie first, and then sew on a button for
Jim. You'll find me next door when you're ready." Tommy heard her go,
singing downstairs, and she sighed happily. This, for the first time for
two years, was a real home.

The education of the new-chums began next morning, and was carried out
thoroughly, since Mr. Linton did not believe in showing their immigrants
only the pleasanter side of Australian life. Bob was given a few days of
riding round the run, spying out the land, and learning something about
cattle and their handling as he rode. Luckily for him, he was a good
horseman. The stockmen, always on the alert to "pick holes" in a
new-chum, had lit