fact of this concealment was apt to come home closely to her at
times and cloud the perfect friendship between them.

"Master Billy will be delighted, I expect," went on Mr. Linton, not
noticing the little girl's silence. "Anything out of the ordinary groove
of civilisation is a joy to that primitive young man. I don't fancy it
would take much to make a cheerful savage of Billy."

"Can't you fancy him!" said Norah, making an effort to break away from
her own thoughts; "roaming the bush with a boomerang and a waddy, and
dressed in strips of white paint."

"Striped indeed!" said her father, laughing. "I've no doubt he'd enjoy
it. I hope his ancient instincts won't revive--he's the best hand with
horses we ever had on the station. Now, Norah, come and talk to
Brownie."

Mrs. Brown, on being consulted, saw no difficulties in the way. A day,
she declared, was all she wanted to prepare sufficient food for the
party for a week--let alone for only three days.

"Not as I'll stint you to three days," remarked the prudent Brownie.
"Last time it was to be three days--an' 'twas more like six when we saw
you again. Once you two gets away--" and she wagged a stern forefinger
at her employer. "And there's that black himp--he eats enough for five!"

"You forget the fish we're going to live on," laughed Mr. Linton.

"'M," said Brownie solemnly. "First catch your fish!"

"Why, of course, we mean to, you horrid old thing!" cried Norah,
laughing; "and bring you home loads, too--not that you deserve it for
doubting us!"

"I have seen many fishing parties go out, Miss Norah, my dear," said
Mrs. Brown impassively, "and on the 'ole more came 'ome hempty 'anded
than bringing loads--fish bein' curious things, an' very unreliable on
the bite. Still, we'll 'ope for the best--an' meanwhile to prepare for
the worst. I'll just cook a few extry little things--another tongue,
now, an' a nice piece of corned beef, an' per'aps a 'am. An' do you
think you could manage a pie or two, Miss Norah?"

"Try her!" said Mr. Linton, laughing.

"Let's tell Billy!"--and off went Norah at a gallop.

She returned a few minutes later, slightly crestfallen.

"Billy must be asleep," she said. "I couldn't get an answer. Lazy young
nigger--and it's still twilight!"

"Billy has no use for the day after the sun goes down, unless he's going
'possuming," her father said. "Never mind--the news will keep until the
morning."

"Oh, I know," said Norah, smiling. "Bu