, condition, and
species of the sheep, what was their destination, whether they were in
search of grass or were for sale, had they spread or eaten much grass,
and had the men been civil?

When I had satisfactorily informed her on all these points, she bade me
have something to cat, to bathe and dress, and gave me a holiday for the
remainder of the day.

My hair was grey with dust, so I washed all over, arrayed myself in a
cool white dress, and throwing myself in a squatter's chair in the
veranda, spread my hair over the back of it to dry. Copies of Gordon,
Kendall, and Lawson were on my lap, but I was too physically content and
comfortable to indulge in even these, my sworn friends and companions. I
surrendered myself to the mere joy of being alive. How the sunlight
blazed and danced in the roadway--the leaves of the gum-trees gleaming in
it like a myriad gems! A cloud of white, which I knew to be cockatoos,
circled over the distant hilltop. Nearer they wheeled until I could hear
their discordant screech. The thermometer on the wall rested at 104
degrees despite the dense shade thrown on the broad old veranda by the
foliage of creepers, shrubs, and trees. The gurgling rush of the creek,
the scent of the flower-laden garden, and the stamp, stamp of a horse in
the orchard as he attempted to rid himself of tormenting flies, filled my
senses. The warmth was delightful. Summer is heavenly, I said--life is a
joy.

Aunt Helen's slender fingers looked artistic among some pretty fancy-work
upon which she was engaged. Bright butterflies flitted round the garden,
and thousands of bees droned lazily among the flowers. I closed my
eyes--my being filled with the beauty of it all.

I could hear grannie's pen fly over the paper as she made out a list of
Christmas supplies on a table near me.

"Helen, I suppose a hundredweight of currants will he sufficient ?"

"Yes; I should think so."

"Seven dozen yards of unbleached calico be enough?"

"Yes; plenty."

"Which tea-service did you order?"

"Number two."

"Do you or Sybylla want anything extra?"

"Yes; parasols, gloves, and some books."

"Books! Can I get them at Hordern's?"

"Yes."

Grannie's voice faded on my ears, my thoughts ran on uncle Jay-Jay. He
had promised to be home in time for my birthday spread, and I was sure he
had a present for me. What would it be?--something nice. He would be
nearly sure to bring someone home with him from Cummabella, and we would