`We'll give the buggy a rest, Joe,' she said. (I thought I heard it

coming then.) `It seems as far off as ever. I don't know why

you want to harp on it to-day. Now, don't look so cross, Joe --

I didn't mean to hurt you. We'll wait until we can get a double buggy,

since you're so set on it. There'll be plenty of time when we're better off.'

After tea, when the youngsters were in bed, and she'd washed up,

we sat outside on the edge of the verandah floor, Mary sewing,

and I smoking and watching the track up the creek.