e, my dear. But we must tell dad what we intend
doing."

"Not about the men's clothes."

"No, that we will keep to ourselves. What fun it will be!"

"Well, have you settled your plans?" asked Goody, as they entered the
drawing-room, which they found him pacing restlessly.

"We leave for Brisbane to-day," said May.

"So you are going to leave your old dad again," he asked, sorrowfully.

"Yes, father, duty calls us and we must obey."

"Uncle," said Hil, coming to him and taking his arm, caressingly. "Your
daughter was saved by two Australians from the clutches of one of
England's gentlemen. If you were young and strong it would be your duty
to avenge your daughter's wrongs; if you had a son the duty would fall
on her brother, but you are too old for work of that kind and
consequently the duty falls on her."

"But, my dear girl, I--"

"Stay, uncle, hear me out. She does not go alone, for I go with her. She
is my cousin, for her mother was my mother's sister, so we are of the
same blood, and our blood calls out for revenge."

"Really, you are--"

"We are going, yes; I'll tell you why. An Australian girl has been
wronged by an Englishman and, though we may be proud to count England as
our mother-country, we are not going to allow her sons to insult us with
impunity. We Australians are made of as good grit, and one day we shall
put Australia in its true place, when we have Australia for the
Australians."

"Hear, hear, Hil! That's the true Australian sentiment."

"My dear children, you are young and foolish and do not know what you
are talking of," said Goody, becoming annoyed.

"Don't we," continued Hil, with imperturbable good-humour. "We leave
loyalty and bowing down to Her Most Gracious Majesty to you old people.
When our young generation grows strong enough to assert itself, you'll
see what you will see," and she touched a bell and ordered refreshments.

"It's eleven o'clock now, Hil," said May.

"Then we must be getting ready. You will go to the hotel, uncle, and we
will send you word how we are getting on."

"Yes do, father," said May, throwing her arms round his neck. "Let me go
this time and then we will stay at home together, and never be parted
any more."

"As you will, my dear," said he, giving in, with evident reluctance.

"Now then, May," said Hil, when they had bidden the old man good-bye, "I
want you to tell me how you became mixed up with that fellow, for I must
confess I saw nothing st