with
excitement and longing to see you. We ought to reach 'Aroha' before they
are in bed. It is only nine o'clock, and we can go part of the way by
train; then we shall have a long buggy drive through the bush."

That day Eva never forgot. Travelling with one who was practically a
stranger to her and yet her nearest relative, the girl felt embarrassed.
She wanted to hear about her future surroundings and ask questions about
the children, but she found it hard to disguise her disappointment in
having to leave her old home and to pretend enthusiasm about her
brothers and sister; she feared that her father would read her thoughts
and be hurt and offended, so relapsed into silence. Once they left the
railway they said goodbye to civilisation, Eva felt positive.

The country was at its loveliest; the early summer brought a beauty of
its own. Rains had washed every leaf and refreshed each growing thing.
Great trees, veritable giants, reared their heads proudly towards the
sky, bushes were in full leaf, the ground on either side of the road was
carpeted with thick moss that had grown for long years without being
disturbed. From out of a cloudless sky the sun shone brilliantly, and
the travellers gladly exchanged the high-road for the shelter of the
bush. The day was undoubtedly hot, and Eva in her holiday raiment felt
oppressed and weary before the carriage came in sight of the first
houses that comprised the growing little township in which her father
held an important position as medical man.

The style of house brought a curve of contempt to the girl's lips, but
she offered no opinions. Suddenly, without a remark, her father checked
the horses, as a small group came to a halt in the middle of the road
and began waving their hats and shouting wildly.

"There's a welcome for you, Eva!"

"Who are they? I mean--how did those boys know I was coming?"

"They are your brothers, dear; jolly little chaps every one of them,
even though they are a bunch of rough robins."

Eva shivered; her brothers--those raggety tags!

They presented a picturesque though unkempt appearance. Jack was eating
a slice of bread and jam; Dick had Babs--somewhat in a soiled condition
from watering the garden--on his back; Charlie, the incorrigible, with a
tear in his knickers and a brimless hat on the back of his curly head,
was leaping about like an excited kangaroo.

[Sidenote: "An Impossible Crowd!"]

The doctor held out his arms to the three-