第11章 Part I.(10)

`Yes,'I said,`it must be hot in the wool-shed.'

She stood looking out over the willows.Presently she said,`It must be very dull for you,Mr Wilson --you must feel lonely.

Mr Barnes said --'Then she gave a little gasp and stopped --as if she was just going to put her foot in it.

`How beautiful the moonlight looks on the willows!'she said.

`Yes,'I said,`doesn't it?Supposing we have a stroll by the river.'

`Oh,thank you,Mr Wilson.I'd like it very much.'

I didn't notice it then,but,now I come to think of it,it was a beautiful scene:there was a horseshoe of high blue hills round behind the house,with the river running round under the slopes,and in front was a rounded hill covered with pines,and pine ridges,and a soft blue peak away over the ridges ever so far in the distance.

I had a handkerchief over the worst of my face,and kept the best side turned to her.We walked down by the river,and didn't say anything for a good while.I was thinking hard.We came to a white smooth log in a quiet place out of sight of the house.

`Suppose we sit down for a while,Mary,'I said.

`If you like,Mr Wilson,'she said.

There was about a foot of log between us.

`What a beautiful night!'she said.

`Yes,'I said,`isn't it?'

Presently she said,`I suppose you know I'm going away next month,Mr Wilson?'

I felt suddenly empty.`No,'I said,`I didn't know that.'

`Yes,'she said,`I thought you knew.I'm going to try and get into the hospital to be trained for a nurse,and if that doesn't come off I'll get a place as assistant public-school teacher.'

We didn't say anything for a good while.

`I suppose you won't be sorry to go,Miss Brand?'I said.

`I --I don't know,'she said.`Everybody's been so kind to me here.'

She sat looking straight before her,and I fancied her eyes glistened.

I put my arm round her shoulders,but she didn't seem to notice it.

In fact,I scarcely noticed it myself at the time.

`So you think you'll be sorry to go away?'I said.

`Yes,Mr Wilson.I suppose I'll fret for a while.It's been my home,you know.'

I pressed my hand on her shoulder,just a little,so as she couldn't pretend not to know it was there.But she didn't seem to notice.

`Ah,well,'I said,`I suppose I'll be on the wallaby again next week.'

`Will you,Mr Wilson?'she said.Her voice seemed very soft.

I slipped my arm round her waist,under her arm.My heart was going like clockwork now.

Presently she said --

`Don't you think it's time to go back now,Mr Wilson?'

`Oh,there's plenty of time!'I said.I shifted up,and put my arm farther round,and held her closer.She sat straight up,looking right in front of her,but she began to breathe hard.

`Mary,'I said.

`Yes,'she said.

`Call me Joe,'I said.

`I --I don't like to,'she said.`I don't think it would be right.'

So I just turned her face round and kissed her.She clung to me and cried.

`What is it,Mary?'I asked.

She only held me tighter and cried.

`What is it,Mary?'I said.`Ain't you well?Ain't you happy?'

`Yes,Joe,'she said,`I'm very happy.'Then she said,`Oh,your poor face!

Can't I do anything for it?'

`No,'I said.`That's all right.My face doesn't hurt me a bit now.'

But she didn't seem right.

`What is it,Mary?'I said.`Are you tired?You didn't sleep last night --'Then I got an inspiration.

`Mary,'I said,`what were you doing out with the gun this morning?'

And after some coaxing it all came out,a bit hysterical.

`I couldn't sleep --I was frightened.Oh!I had such a terrible dream about you,Joe!I thought Romany came back and got into your room and stabbed you with his knife.I got up and dressed,and about daybreak I heard a horse at the gate;then I got the gun down from the wall --and --and Mr Barnes came round the corner and frightened me.

He's something like Romany,you know.'

Then I got as much of her as I could into my arms.

And,oh,but wasn't I happy walking home with Mary that night!

She was too little for me to put my arm round her waist,so I put it round her shoulder,and that felt just as good.

I remember I asked her who'd cleaned up my room and washed my things,but she wouldn't tell.

She wouldn't go back to the dance yet;she said she'd go into her room and rest a while.There was no one near the old verandah;and when she stood on the end of the floor she was just on a level with my shoulder.

`Mary,'I whispered,`put your arms round my neck and kiss me.'

She put her arms round my neck,but she didn't kiss me;she only hid her face.

`Kiss me,Mary!'I said.

`I --I don't like to,'she whispered.

`Why not,Mary?'

Then I felt her crying or laughing,or half crying and half laughing.

I'm not sure to this day which it was.

`Why won't you kiss me,Mary?Don't you love me?'

`Because,'she said,`because --because I --I don't --I don't think it's right for --for a girl to --to kiss a man unless she's going to be his wife.'

Then it dawned on me!I'd forgot all about proposing.

`Mary,'I said,`would you marry a chap like me?'

And that was all right.

Next morning Mary cleared out my room and sorted out my things,and didn't take the slightest notice of the other girls'astonishment.

But she made me promise to speak to old Black,and I did the same evening.

I found him sitting on the log by the fence,having a yarn on the quiet with an old Bushman;and when the old Bushman got up and went away,I sat down.

`Well,Joe,'said Black,`I see somebody's been spoiling your face for the dance.'And after a bit he said,`Well,Joe,what is it?

Do you want another job?If you do,you'll have to ask Mrs Black,or Bob'(Bob was his eldest son);`they're managing the station for me now,you know.'

He could be bitter sometimes in his quiet way.

`No,'I said;`it's not that,Boss.'

`Well,what is it,Joe?'

`I --well the fact is,I want little Mary.'

He puffed at his pipe for a long time,then I thought he spoke.

`What did you say,Boss?'I said.

`Nothing,Joe,'he said.`I was going to say a lot,but it wouldn't be any use.My father used to say a lot to me before I was married.'

I waited a good while for him to speak.

`Well,Boss,'I said,`what about Mary?'

`Oh!I suppose that's all right,Joe,'he said.`I --I beg your pardon.