A Little Bush Maid

by Mary Grant Bruce

  CHAPTER XI. GOOD-BYE

  "I was just a-goin' to ring the big bell," said Mrs. Brown.

  She was standing on the front verandah as the children came up the lawn.

  "Why, we're not late, Brownie, are we?" asked Norah.

  "Not very." The old housekeeper smiled at her. "Only when your Pa's awayI allers feels a bit nervis about you--sech thoughtless young people,an' all them animals and snakes about!"

  "Gammon!" said Jim laughing. "D'you mean to say I can't look after them,Brownie?"

  "I'd rather not say anythink rash, Master Jim," rejoined Mrs. Brown witha twinkle.

  "I guess Mrs. Brown's got the measure of your foot, old man," grinnedHarry.

  "Oh, well," said Jim resignedly, "a chap never gets his due in thisworld. I forgive you, Brownie, though you don't deserve it. Got a nicetea for us?"

  "Sech as it is, Master Jim, it's waitin' on you," said Mrs. Brown, withpoint.

  "That's what you might call a broad hint," cried Jim. "Come on,chaps--race you for a wash-up!"

  They scattered, Mrs. Brown laying violent hands on the indignant Norah,and insisting on arraying her in a clean frock, which the victimresisted, as totally unnecessary. Mrs. Brown carried her point, however,and a trim little maiden joined the boys in the dining-room five minuteslater.

  Mrs. Brown's cooking was notable, and she had excelled herself over theboys' farewell tea. A big cold turkey sat side by side with a ham ofmajestic dimensions, while the cool green of a salad was tempting afterthe hot walk. There were jellies, and a big bowl of fruit salad, whilethe centre of the table was occupied by a tall cake, raising aloftglittering white tiers. There were scones and tarts and wee cakes, anddishes of fresh fruit, and altogether the boys whistled long and softly,and declared that "Brownie was no end of a brick!"

  Whereat Mrs. Brown, hovering about to see that her charges wantednothing, smiled and blushed, and said, "Get on, now, do!"

  Jim carved, and Jim's carving was something to marvel at. No method cameamiss to him. When he could cut straight he did; at other times hesawed; and, when it seemed necessary, he dug. After he had finishedhelping every one, Wally said that the turkey looked as if a dog hadbeen at it, and the ham was worse, which remarks Jim meekly accepted ashis due. Nor did the inartistic appearance of the turkey prevent thecritic from coming back for more!

  Everyone was hungry, and did full justice to "Brownie's" forethought;while Norah, behind the tall teapot, declared that it was a job for twomen and a boy to pour out for such a thirsty trio. Harry helped thefruit salad, and Harry's helpings were based on his own hunger, andwould have suited Goliath. Finally, Norah cut the cake with greatceremony, and Wally's proposal that everyone should retire to the lawnwith a "chunk" was carried unanimously.

  Out on the grass they lay and chattered, while the dusk came down, andslowly a pale moon climbed up into the sky. Norah alone was silent.After a while Harry and Wally declared they must go and pack, and Jimand his sister were left alone.

  Wally and Harry scurried down the hail. The sound of their merry voicesdied away, and there was silence on the lawn.

  Jim rolled nearer to Norah.

  "Blue, old girl?"

  "'M," said a muffled voice.

  Jim felt for her hand in the darkness--and found it. The small, brownfingers closed tightly round his rough paw.

  "I know," he said comprehendingly. "I'm awfully sorry, old woman. I dowish we hadn't to go."

  There was no answer. Jim knew why--and also knowing perfectly well thattears would mean the deepest shame, he talked on without requiring anyresponse.

  "Beastly hard luck," he said. "We don't want to go a bit--fancy schoolafter this! Ugh! But there are three of us, so it isn't so bad. Itwouldn't matter if Dad was at home, for you. But I must say it's lowdownto be leaving you all by your lonely little self."

  Norah struggled hard with that abominable lump in her throat, despisingherself heartily.

  "Brownie'll be awfully good to you," went on Jim. "You'll have to buckup, you know, old girl, and not let yourself get dull. You practise likeone o'clock; or make jam, or something; or get Brownie to let you dosome cooking. Anything to keep you 'from broodin' on bein' a dorg,' asold David Harum says. There's all the pets to look after, youknow--you've got to keep young black Billy up to the mark, or he'llnever feed 'em properly, and if you let him alone he changes the waterin the dishes when the last lot's dry. And, by George, Norah"--Jim had abright idea--"Dad told me last night he meant to shift those newbullocks into the Long Plain. Ten to one he forgot all about it, goingaway so suddenly. You'll have to see to it."

  "I'd like that," said Norah, feeling doubtfully for her voice.

  "Rather--best thing you can do," Jim said eagerly. "Take Billy with you,of course, and a dog. They're not wild, and I don't think you'll haveany trouble--only be very careful to get 'em all--examine all the scrubin the paddock. Billy knows how many there ought to be. I did know, but,of course, I've forgotten. Of course Dad may have left directions withone of the men about it already."

  "Well, I could go too, couldn't I?" queried Norah.

  "Rather. They'd be glad to have you."

  "Well, I'll be glad of something to do. I wasn't looking forward toto-morrow."

  "No," said Jim, "I know you weren't. Never mind, you keep busy. Youmight drive into Cunjee with Brownie on Tuesday--probably you'd get aletter from Dad a day earlier, and hear when he's coming home--and if hesays he's coming home on Thursday, Wednesday won't seem a bit long.You'll be as right as ninepence if you buck up."

  "I will, old chap. Only I wish you weren't going."

  "So do I," said Jim, "and so do the other chaps. They want to come againsome holidays."

  "Well, I hope you'll bring them."

  "My word! I will. Do you know, Norah, they think you're no end of abrick?"

  "Do they?" said Norah, much pleased. "Did they tell you?"

  "They're always telling me. Now, you go to bed, old girl."

  He rose and pulled her to her feet.

  Norah put her arms round his neck--a very rare caress.

  "Good night," she said. "I--I do love you, Jimmy!"

  Jim hugged her.

  "Same here, old chap," he said.

  There was such scurrying in the early morning. Daylight revealed manythings that had been overlooked in the packing overnight, and they hadto be crammed in, somehow. Other things were remembered which had notbeen packed, and which must be found, and diligent hunt had to be madefor them.

  Norah was everybody's mate, running on several errands at once, findingJim's school cap near Harry's overcoat while she was looking for Wally'scherished snake-skin. Her strong brown hands pulled tight the straps ofbulging bags on which their perspiring owners knelt, puffing. After thesaid bags were closed and carried out to the buggy, she found the threetoothbrushes, and crammed each, twisted in newspaper, into its owner'spocket. She had no time to think she was dull.

  Mrs. Brown, who had been up since dawn, had packed a huge hamper, andsuperintended its placing in the buggy. It was addressed to "MasterJames, Master Harry, and Master Wallie," and later Jim reported that itscontents were such as to make the chaps at school speechless--acompliment which filled Mrs. Brown with dismay, and a wish that she hadput in less pastry and perhaps a little castor oil. At present she feltmildly safe about it and watched it loaded with a sigh of relief.

  "Boom-m-m!" went the big gong, and the boys rushed to the dining-room,where Norah was ready to pour out tea.

  "You have some, Norah," said Harry, retaining his position close to theteapot, whence Wally had vainly striven to dislodge him.

  "Yes, old girl, you eat some breakfast," commanded Jim.

  Norah flashed a smile at him over the cosy.

  "Lots of time afterwards," she said, a little sadly.

  "No time like the present." Wally took a huge bite out of a scone, andsurveyed the relic with interest. Someone put a smoking plateful beforehim, and his further utterances were lost in eggs and bacon.
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  Mrs. Brown flitted about like a stout guardian angel, keeping anespecially watchful eye on Jim. If the supply on his plate lessenedperceptibly, it was replenished with more, like manna from above. To hislaughing protests she merely murmured, "Poor dear lamb!" whereat Wallyand Harry laughed consumedly, and Jim blushed.

  "Well, you've beaten me at last, Brownie," Jim declared finally. Hewaved away a chop which was about to descend upon his plate. "No truly,Brownie dear; there are limits! Tea? No thanks, Norah, I've had about adozen cups already, I believe! You fellows ready?"

  They were, and the table was briskly deserted.

  There was a final survey of the boys' room, which resembled a rubbishheap, owing to vigorous packing.

  Everybody ran wildly about looking for something.

  Wally was found searching frantically for his cap, which Norahdiscovered--on his head. There was a hurried journey to the kitchen, tobid the servants "Good-bye."

  The buggy wheels scrunched the gravel before the hall door. The overseercoo-ee'd softly.

  "All aboard!"

  "All right, Evans!" Jim appeared in the doorway, staggering under a bigGladstone bag. Billy, similarly laden, followed. His black face wasunusually solemn.

  "Chuck 'em in, Billy. Come on, you chaps!"

  The chaps appeared.

  "Good-bye, Norah. It's been grand!" Harry pumped her hand vigorously.

  "Wish you were coming!" said Wally dismally. "Good-bye. Write to us,won't you, Norah?"

  "Now then, Master Jim!" Evans glanced at his watch.

  "Right oh!" said Jim. He put his arm round the little girl's shouldersand looked keenly into her face. There was no hint of breaking down.Norah met his gaze steadily and smiled at him. But the boy knew.

  "Good-bye, little chap," he said, and kissed her. "You'll keep yourpecker up?"

  She nodded. "Good-bye, Jimmy, old boy."

  Jim sprang into the buggy.

  "All right, Evans."

  They whirled down the drive. Looking back, waving their caps, the boyscarried away a memory of a brave little figure, erect, smiling andlonely on the doorstep.