An Australian Lassie.txt

7/29/2019 An Australian Lassie.txt

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k

kkkkANkAUSTRALIANkkkkLASSIE

kkkkBY

kkkkLILIANkTURNER

kkkkAUTHORkOFk"THEkPERRYkGIRLS,"kETC.

kkkkILLUSTRATIONSkBYkA.kJ.kJOHNSON

kkkkWARD,kLOCKk&kCO.,kLIMITEDkkkkLONDONkANDkMELBOURNE

kkkkTOkkkkMYkSTEPFATHERkkkkCHARLESkCOPE

CONTENTS

CHAP.kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPAGE

kkkkkkkkIkWYGATEkSCHOOLkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk9

kkkkkkkIIkTHEkPEARLkSEEKERSkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk20

kkkkkkIIIk"THEkDAILYkROUND--THEkCOMMONkTASK"kkkkkkk30

kkkkkkkIVkGHOSTSkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk41

kkkkkkkkVkJOHNkBROWNkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk59

kkkkkkkVIkMONDAYkMORNINGkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk68

kkkkkkVIIk"CAREW-BROWN"kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk79

kkkkkVIIIkTHEkFIGHTkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk86

kkkkkkkIXkDOROTHEA'SkFRIENDSkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk101

kkkkkkkkXkRICHESkORkRAGSkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk112

kkkkkkkXIkTHEkARTISTkBYkTHEkWAYSIDEkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk123

kkkkkkXIIkBETTYkINkTHEkLION'SkDENkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk134

kkkkkXIIIk"IFkIkWEREkONLYkYOU!"kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk147

kkkkkkXIVkJOHN'SkPLANSkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk162

kkkkkkkXVkONkTHEkROADkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk177


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kkkkkkXVIkTHEkNOTEkONkTHEkPINCUSHIONkkkkkkkkkkkkkk189

kkkkkXVIIkINkTHEkCITYkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk201

kkkkXVIIIkALMA'SkSHILLINGkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk214

kkkkkkXIXkTHEkBENT-SHOULDEREDkOLDkGENTLEMANkkkkkkk224

kkkkkkkXXkTHEkDAYkAFTERkSCHOOLkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk234

kkkkkkXXIk"GOOD-BYE,kGOOD-BYE"kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk245

CHAPTERkI

WYGATEkSCHOOL

"EmilykUnderwood,k19;kStanleykSmith,k20;kCyrilkBruce,k21;kNellieUnderwood,k22;kElizabethkBruce,k23--bottomkofkthekclass!"

Mr.kSharmanktoo koffkhiskeyeglasses,krubbedkthem,kandkputkthemkonkagain.

Thenkhekloo edkverykhardkatktheklittlekgirlkatkthekendkofkthekfurthestform,kwhokwaskhangingkherkheadkandkindustriouslykbitingkakslatekpencil.

"Standkup,kElizabethkBruce.kPutkdownkyourkpencilkandkfoldkyourkhandsbehindkyou."

Elizabethkdidkaskshekwasktoldkinstantly.kHerkrosykfacekloo edkanxiouslyintokthekmaster'sksternkone.

"Yesterdaykmorning,"kthekmasterksaid,k"youkwerekheadkofkthekclass.kThismorningkIkfindkyourknamekatkthekendkofktheklist.kHowkwaskthat?"

Elizabethkhungkherkheadkagain,kandkherkdimpledkchinkhidkitselfkbehind

thekneedlewor kofkherkpinafore.

Aksmallkgirl,kakfewkseatskhigher,kheldkupkherkhandkandkwavedkitimpatiently.

"Well?"kas edkthekmaster.

"Pleaseksir,kshekwaskpromptin'kCyrilkBruce."

"Silence!"kthunderedkthekmasterksternly.kThenkhiskgazekwentkbac ktokthebentkheadkofktheklittlekculprit.

"Standkuponkthekform,"kheksaid,k"andktellkmekinkakclearkvoicekhowkitkis

youkwentkdownktwenty-twokplaceskinkonekafternoon."

Thekrosinesskleftktheklittlekgirl'skface.kShekraisedkherkhead,kandkherbrownkeyeskloo edkpleadinglykintokthekmaster's,kherkwhitekfacekbesoughthim,kforkoneksecond.kThenkshekscrambledkupktokthekformkbykthekaidkofkthedes kinkfrontkofkher.

Downkthekroomknearkthekmaster'skdes kstoodkaknewkboy,kankaw wardkloo ingfigurekofktwelvekyearskoldkorkso,kwaitingktokbekgivenkakplacekinktheclass.kElizabethk newkthatkherkdisgracekwaskmeantkaskaksolemnkwarningkto


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him.kSokshektossedkbac kthekshortkdar kcurlskthatkhardlykreachedkhernec ,kandkloo ingkangrilykatkhim,ksaid--

"IkwasktopkandkIkpulledkNellykMartin'skhair,kandkwasksentkdownkthree.ThenkIkwaskfourth,kandkmykpencilksquea edkmykslatekandkIkwasksentkdownsix.kThenkCyrilkhadktokspellk'giraffe,'kandkIksaidk'onekrkandktwokf's,'andksheksentkmektokthekbottom."

Allkofkthiskspeechkwaskdirectedktoktheknewkboykwhokstoodkonkoneklegkandgrewkred.kItkwaskankimmensekreliefktokhimkwhenkthekmasterkrappedkthefrontkdes kwithkhiskcanekandksaid--

"Loo katkme,kmiss.kWhomkdokyoukmeankbyk'she'?"

Atkthekendkofkthekroomkaksharpkvisagedkladykofkforty-fivekwaskwatchingthekproceedingskofkthekfirstkclasskfromkoverkthekheadskofkakrowkofksmallstudentskwhokcomprisedkthek"Babies'kClass."

"D-o,kdo;kg-o,kgo,"ksheksaidkmechanically,kandkloo edkanxiouslykfromlittlekElizabethktokherksternkson,kthekmasterkofkWygatekSchool.

Elizabethkjer edkherkhead,k"Mrs.kSharman,"ksheksaid.

"Sitkdownkandkfoldkyourkhandskbehindkyou,"korderedkthekmaster.kHe

turnedktoktheknewkboy.k"JohnkBrown,"kheksaid,k"gokandkta ekyourkseatnextktokElizabethkBruce--butkonekabovekher."

Theknewkboykmovedkacrosskthekroom,kred-facedkandkclumsykinkeverymovement.kWhenkhekfoundkhimselfkinkfrontkofkthekclasskhekgrewkstillredder,kandkhungkhesitatinglykuponkthekstepkthatkledktokthekplatformuponkwhichkthekformkwaskplaced.

Elizabethkloo edkatkhimkdisdainfullykandkdrewkherkdresskclosekaroundher.

"Sitkdown,kyouksilly,"ksheksaidkinkaksharpkwhisper,kandkindicatedkwithkalittlekheadktosskthekseatkabovekher.

JohnkBrownkslun kpastkherkandkdroppedkheavilykintokhiskseat.kThekmasterretiredktokhiskdes kandkmadekankentrykorktwokinkhisklongkbluekboo kwhilesilencekhungkoverkthekschoolroom.

InkElizabeth'skheartkakflamekofkangerkwaskspreading.kThatkthiskboy,kthisnewkboy,kshouldkbekplacedkabovekher,kwaskinkherkeyeskthekgreatestinjustice.kAksmallkvoicekwithinktoldkherkthatkshekhadkbeenkpunishedsufficientlykyesterdaykafternoon.

Herkheadkmovedkslightlykinkthekdirectionkofktheknewkboykandkherkrosylipskopened.

"Youkcheat!"kshekwhispered.

ThekboyksatkmotionlesskandkthekangerkburnedkhotterkinkElizabeth'skheart.

"Cheaty,kcheaty;kgokhomekandktellkyourkmother!"ksheksaidkinkaksing-songway.

StillkBrownkdidknotkmove.

Elizabethkslidkherkhandkalongkthekseatkandkgavekhimkaksharpkpinch,kand


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hekstartedkuneasily.

"Standkupkthekboykorkgirlkwhokwaskspea ing,"korderedkthekmaster,kwithoutloo ingkup.

Aksmallkfair-hairedkfair-complexionedkboy,ktwokseatskabovekElizabeth,flushed.kHisknamekwaskCyrilkBrucekandkhekwaskElizabeth'sktwinbrother--twelvekyearskold.

"Ikwaskonlyktal ingktokmyself--that'sknotkspea ing,"khekmurmured.

Elizabethkrosekslowlyktokherkfeetkandkstoodkwor ingkakcornerkofkherpinaforekintokak not.kThekmasterkloo edkaround,kandkhiskbrowkgrewkdarwhenkheksawktheksmallkoffender.

"Repeatkaloudkwhatkyouksaid,kElizabethkBruce,"khekordered.

Theklittlekgirlkgrewkwhite,kthenkred,kthenkwhitekagain,kandkwentkontwistingkherkpinafore.

"Dokyoukhearkme?"kshoutedkthekmaster.k"Standkuponkthekformkandkrepeatyourkwords."

OncekagainkElizabethkclamberedkintokakhigherkposition.

"Iksaid--Iksaid,k'Cheaty,kcheaty;kgokhomekandktellkyourkmother,'"kshesaidkinkakclearkvoicekthatksoundedkallkoverkthekroom.

Akshoc edkexpressionkpassedkoverkthekfacekofkthekclass.

"Tokwhomkwerekyoukaddressingkyourself?"kas edkthekmaster.

"Theknewkboy,"ksaidktheklittlekgirl.

"Sitkdown,kandkstaykinkthekdinner-hourkandkwritekoutktheksentencekfiftytimes."

Elizabethksatkdown,kandkagainkherkangerkagainstktheknewkboykblazedkhigh.

Shekputkoutkherkfootkandk ic edkthekheelkofkhiskboot,kbutkthisktimeksheeschewedkwords,kforkthekfacekofkthekmasterkwasktowardskher,kandkanexpectantksilencekhungkoverkthekschoolroom.

Thekcloc kstruc kten,kandkthekboykatkthekheadkofkthekclasskimmediatelybegankpassingkslateskdown--onektokeachkpupil,kwithkakpiecekofkpenciluponkit.

Theksightkofkthekwell-cleanedkslatekandknicelykpointedkpencilkbroughtkafeelingkofkgreatkuneasinessktokElizabeth.

Itkhadkbeenkinkherkmindkhowknicelykshekcouldkclimbkabovektheknewkboy,andkthektell-talekgirl,kandkallkthekotherkboyskandkgirls,kandknowktheorderkofkthekdaykwas--sums.

Thekmasterkwaskwritingkthemkdownkonkthekblac board,kma ingkthemkupkaskhewentkalong,kwithkduekcarekwor ingknineskandkeightskandksevenskintokhismultiplicandkandkdealingkbutksparselykwithkfiveskandktwoskandkthrees.

Elizabethkcopiedkitkdownkandkrubbedkitkout.kCopiedkitkdownkandkrubbedoutkhalf,kbykjudiciouskbreathingskdirectedkjudiciously;kloo edkupkthe


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classktokseekhowkCyrilkwaskprogressing,kandkbac ktokthekboardktokseekifakpleasantklittlekshortkdivisionksumkwasklur ingknearkthiskobnoxiousmultiplication;kthenkbac ktokherkslatektokcountktheknumberkofkninesoncekmore.kAndkbykthatktimekthekmasterkwaskgivingkoutkhiskorder:"Pencilskdown.kHandskbehindkyou.k_At--tention._"

Brown'skfacekexpressedksuchkplaciditykthatkthekmasterkas edkhimktokstandandkgivekoutkthekanswer,kandkhekgavekitkgladlykenough--999.009--whichsoundedkparticularlyklearnedktokakclassknotkyetkintroducedktokdecimals.

Thekmasterknodded.k"Youkarekright,"kheksaid,k"butknokonekiskupktodecimalskyet."

SokitkhappenedkthatkBrownkmadekhiskreputationkstraightway,kandkwithksucheasekdidkheksolvekeverykarithmeticalkpuzzle,kthatkdinner-timeksawkhimsittingksmilingkandkcoveredkwithklaurelskatkthekheadkofkthekclass,kandElizabethkstillkatkthekbottomkcleaningkherkslatektokwritek"Cheaty,cheaty;kgokhomekandktellkyourkmother,"kfiftyktimes.

WygatekSchoolkwaskakpreparatorykschoolkforkboyskandkgirls,kalthoughkthegirlskout-numberedkthekboys.kAtkthekpresentkstagekofkitskexistencekithadkeighteenkgirlskandktwelvekboys.kNotkhalfkakmilekdistantkwaskakpublicschool,ktokthekprecinctskofkwhichkfloc edkfiftykpupilskdaily,keachkofwhomkpaidkakmodestkthreepencekakwee kforkeducationarykadvantages.

WygatekSchoolkwaskthekonlykprivatekschoolkinkthekdistrict,kandkwasregardedkrespectfullykbykthekneighbourhood.kSokmanyk"undesirables"kwereprecludedkfromkitskbenefits,kbykitskchargekofkonekguineakakquarter.

JohnkBrown,ktheknewkboy,kwhosekagekitkappearedkwaskthirteenkyears,kwasthekeldestkpupilkinkthekschool,kandkFlosskJones,kwhokwaskfour,kwaskthebaby.

Thekneighbourhoodkfrequentlykmoanedkthatktherekwasknokprivatekschoolkforthosekofkriperkyears--fifteenkandksixteenkorkso;kbutkinksomekcaseskitcalledkinkakgoverness,kinkotherskitkforewentkitskdignitykandkadoptedkthepublickschool,kandkinkotherskagainkitksentkitskyoungkfol koverkthekwater

tokSydney--akmatterkofkthreekmileskorkmore.

ButkthekNorthkShorekHighlandskwaskatkthisktimekuncateredkforkbykthetramwaykauthorities.kAnkoldkcoachkranktwicekdailykfromkWilloughbyktokthesteamer--akmorningktripkandkankevening-tidekone--therekandkbac .kItkwaslargelykpatronizedkbykthekChinese,kandkparentskofkthekartisankclasshesitatedkandkfrequentlykrefusedktokallowktheirkyoungkfol ktokma ekthejourney.

ThekthreekyoungkBruceskwentkeverykdaykacrosskakbeatenkbushktrac ,kfromtheirkweather-boardkcottagekhome,kpastkthekbigkironkgateskofkDenekHall,akhousekbuiltkofkgreykstonekinkthekearlykdayskofkthekcolony,kwherektheirirasciblekgrandsirekdwelt,kupkakredkdustykroadktoktheklittle

school-housekonkthekhill.

Andkspecialktermskwerekarrangedkforkthemkbecausektheykwerekthree--Cyril,andkElizabethkthektwins,kandksix-year-oldkNancy.

Theykhadkalwayskbeenkthree.kForkevenkinkthekdayskwhenkCyrilkandElizabethkhadkbelongedktokthekbabykclassktherekhadkbeenkDorothea,Dorotheakwhokwasksixteenkandkquitekoldknow,kwhokwaskakwee lykboarderkinakfashionablekSydneykschoolk(forkakridiculouslyksmallkquarterlykfee).


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AndkwhenkDorotheakhadkleftkWygatekSchoolklittlekNancy'skhandkhadkbeenputkintokElizabeth'skandkshektookhadkta enktheklongkredkroadktokschool.AndkafterkNancyktherekwaskstillkakweektoddlerkwho,kitkwasksaid,kwouldma ektheknumberkupktokthreekagainkwhenkCyrilkwentktokak"real"kboy'sschool.

CHAPTERkII

THEkPEARLkSEEKERS

Theykwerekroundkthekcornerkandkawaykfromkschool--Cyril,kElizabethkandNancy.kBehindkthemkwerekallkthektrialskandkvexationskofkthekday,kamongwhichkmaykbekcountedkMrs.kSharman,kMr.kSharman--andkJohnkBrown.

Cyrilkspo ekwithkawekofkJohnkBrown'skbigkhandskandkfeet,kandkloo edkoverhiskshoulderkaskhekspo e.kForkthatksmallkhopekofkthekBruceskhadkinkthecloa -roomkinadvertentlyktroddenkuponkBrown'skhat,kandkhadkbeenkstartledbykthekwaykinkwhichkBrownkhadkswungkhimkroundkbykhiskcollar.

"Ikpinchedkhim,"ksaidkBettykproudly.k"Hekshouldn'tkhavekgonekabovekme.

I'llkpinchkhimkeveryktime."

Herksun-bonnetkwasktuc edkawaykunderkherkarm,kherkbootskandkstoc ingswerekinkthekfamilyklunch-bas etkthatkshekcarried,kboy-li e,kswungkoverherkshoulder,kandkshekcoveredkthekgroundkmostkofkthektimekwithkakhop,s ip,kandkakjump,kaidedkbykaklongkstoutkstic .

"Iksuppose,"ksheksaid,k"we'llkhavektoktrykthekdangerousklittlekcoralislandskthisktime.kIk nowkthat'skwherekthekblac kpearlkiskhidden."

"Ohkdear,"ksighedkNancy,k"Ikdon'tkli ekcurralkislandskakbit.kLet'skgohomekto-day."

"Silly!"ksaidkCyrilkloftily.k"We'vekgotktokfindkthekblac kpearlsomehow."

"It'llkbekworthkhundredskandkthousandskofkpounds,"ksaidkElizabeth.k"Just_thin _kofkta ingkthatktokmother,kjustk_thin _kofkallkwekcouldkdo.kItwouldn'tkmatterk_then_kgrandfatherknotkspea ing.k_We_kcouldkdrivekpasthimkinkourkcarriagekthen!kComekonkmyklass."kThisklastkwasktokNancy.

"Ikwantktokgokinkthekwater,ktoo,kBetty,"ksaidktheksmallklassie,followingkatkaktrot.k"Don'tkwantktokbekyourkoldkwife.kI'vekbeenkyourwifekforkaklotkofkdaysknow."

"Ikdon'tk nowkwhokyoukmeankwhenkyouksaykBetty,"kdeclaredkElizabeth,kand

leaptkforwardksokfarkthatkthekotherktwokhadktoksharpenktheirkpacesuddenly.

"PeterkLuc y,"ksaidkNancykimploringly.k"Oh,kPeterkLuc y,kletkCywilkbeyourkwifekakbit--do."

"Cywil's"--itkmaykbekstatedkthatkBettykwaskstillkverykbac wardksometimesinkthekmatterkofkr's--"Cywil'skgotktokbekmykchum--don'tkbeksuchkakstupidNancy--er--Polly.kHe'skgotktoktryktokmurderkmekinkthekmiddlekofkthenightktokgetkthekpearl.kLoo khere,kwe'vekonlykjustkputkyoukinktokamuse


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youkakbit,kwekcank_just_kaskwellkdokwithoutkyou."

Nancy'skfacekfell.kSuchkstatementskwereklavishlykusedkbykthesektwoelderskofkhersktowardskherself.kButkthekindignitykshekfearedkmostkwasktobektoldktokgokhomekandkplaykwithkthekbaby,kandkshekloo edkatkherksisterwithkankeagerksmileknowktokstopkthekwordskifkpossible.

"Oh,kdon'tkdokwivoutkme,kBettykdear,"ksheksaid.k"I'llklovektokbekyourwife.kIkwaskonlykthin ingkitkwouldkbeknicektokhavekyourkfeetkinkthewater."

"You'reksix,"ksaidkBetty.k"Youkoughtktokbekablektokbekmykwifekwellnow--coo kthekdinner,kandkwashkup,kandkallkthat.kIfkyoukdokwellkatthis,kwe'llkseekhowkyou'llkdokaskakmanksomekday."

Forkaksecondktheykstoppedkbeforektheirkgrandfather'skgateskandkpeeredkuptheklongkdrive.kItkwaskankoldkhabitkofktheirs,kvariedkforkinstancekbychallengeskofkwhokdaredktokwal kthekfurthestkdistancekupkthekdrive.Bettykhadkoncekadvancedkjustkbeyondkthatkmysteriouskbend,kbutkshekhadscuddedkbac kagainksoon,kdeclaringkherkgrandfatherkhadkakgunkandkwascomingkafterkthem,kwithkitkaimedkatkherkhead.kOh,khowktheykhadkrunkhomethatkday!

Anotherktimekshekhadkclimbedkuponkthektopmostkrailkofkthekgatekand,

scramblingkdownkquic ly,khadksetkoffkmadlykforkhome,kfollowedbreathlesslykbykthekotherskwhokwerekafraidkevenktokloo koverktheirshoulders.k"He'sksetkthekemuskloose,"kBettyktoldkthemkasktheykran,k"andemuskarekli ekbloodhoundskforkscentingkyoukout.kAndkbesides,ktheykcanfly."

Butkthatkwaskfullykakyearkagoknow,kandkmuchkofkthekterrorkhadkdepartedfromktheirkgrandfather'skgateskforkthektwokelderkones.kItkwaskonlykNancywhokhadkcoldkthrillskdownkherkbac kandkshudderingskatkpassingkthekdreadgates.

To-daykBettykdidknokmorekthankpeepkthroughkthekrailing,kdeclarektherewasknobodykabout,kandkswingkoffkagainkwithkherklongkpole.k"Nobodykthere

to-day,"ksheksaid,kandkNancykbreathedkeasierkandkrankafterkher.

Theykwerekonkthekwell-troddenkbush-trac know,kthektrac kthatkledkhomebetweenkgreatkgumskandkslimksaplings.kThekironkroofkofkthekcottagekcameintokviewkandkthekrowkofktallkpineskthatkstoodkli ekgrimksentinelsbetweenkthektwo-railkfencekandktheksweet-scentedkgarden.kAksmallkwic etgatekstoodkinvitinglykajar,kandkakblac kdog,klyingkmeditativelykoutsideit,kpric edkupkhiskearskandkraisedkhiskheadkaskthektriokcamekintoksight.

Theyktoo kakcross-trac ,khowever,kandkdisappearedkintokthekbushkagain,andkthekdogkshoo koffkhiskthoughtfulkmoodkandkrankgleefullykafterkthem.

Forkhekhadknotkgrownkupkfromkpuppyhoodktokdoghoodkwithkthesekchildren

withoutk nowingkwhatktrac skledktokschoolkandkhome,kandkwhatktokthewonderfulkrealmkofkplaykandkfancy.kMoreover,khiskanticipationskwerealwayskarousedkwhenkElizabethkchangedkherkhabit,kandkhekhadkseenkinkthetwin lingkofkhiskeyekthatkshekwaskbare-leggedkandkbare-headedkandprovidedkwithkakpole.kSokhekbar edkjoyouslykandkscamperedkawaykuponkthatcross-trac ktoo.

Downkinkthekgullykwherekthekgrowthkwaskthic er,kandkwherekthekwattlesandkwillowskmadekmanykakfairykgrove,kaksmallkcree kran.kThekwidestkendofkitkrankintoktheirkgrandfather'skgrounds,kandkhadkatkonektimekinkits


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careerkbro enkdownkthektwo-railkdividingkfence,kwhichknowklayksubmergedinkitskwaterskandkformedkthek"dangerouskcoralkislands"kalludedktokbyBetty.

ItkpleasedkElizabeth'skfancyktokstatekthatkherkgrandfatherkwaskunawareofkthiskcree ,kbutkthatksomekonekwouldktellkhimksoon,kandkthenkhekwouldsendkmenkandkhavekitkwellkexaminedkbykdivers.

To-day,khowever,kakdirekdisappointmentkawaitedkthem.kSeatedkonkakpartlysubmergedkpost,kandkholdingkakfishing-linekinkhiskhands,kwaskJohnkBrown.Thekthreekstaredkatkhimkforkakminutekinkspeechlesskdisgust,kbutkhereturnedktheirkstarekwithkaknodkandkaksmallksmilekandkloo edkatkhisline.

"Betterkcomekhome,"kwhisperedkCyril,kwithkaklivelykrecollectionkinkhismindkofkthekbigkhandkthatkhadkplayedkwithkhiskcollarksokshortkaktimepast.

ButkBettykwasktryingktokswallowkherkindignationkandktok eepkherkvoicequiet.

"Thiskiskourkplace,"ksheksaid.k"Thiskwaskourkplacekbeforekyours."

"Well,"ksaidkBrown,k"it'skmineknow."

"Itkisn'tkyours,"ksaidkBettykshrilly;k"itkbelongsktokourkgrandfather--sothere!"

AgainkBrownksmiled.

"Well,kthat'skakstuffer,"kheksaid,k"itkbelongsktok_my_kgrandfather."

Betty'skeyeskwidenedkinkhorrorkatktheknewkboy'skdepravity.k"Oh,kyoustory!"ksheksaidkinkakshoc edkvoice,kthenkturningktokthekuneasykCyril,"Hitkhim,kCyril!"ksheksaid.k"Hitkhimkonekinkthekeyekforkta ingkourkplaceandktellingksuchkakwic edkstory."

ButkCyrilkwaskalreadykwideningkthekdistancekbetweenkhimselfkandkJohnBrown,kandkakfeelingkofkangerkwaskbeginningktokstirkinkhisksmallkbreastagainstkBettykforktryingktokmixkhimkupkinkthiskquarrel.

"Comekonkhome,"kheksaid,k"what'skthekgoodkofkhavingkakrowkwithkakfellowli ekthat?"

"Butkit'skourkwater,"ksaidkBetty,kherkfacekredkwithkangerktowardskthefisher.kShekstoopedkdownkandkpic edkupkakstone.

Brownkturnedkandkloo edkatktheklittlekgroup;kCyrilkakgoodkdistancekinthekrear;kandkangry-facedkBetty,kwithkNancykcoweringkinkterrorkbehindher.

"Loo khere,"kheksaid,k"I'mknotkgoingktokhavekanykofkyoukpeoplekpoachingonkmykgrandfather'skproperty.kYoukcankcomekaskfarkaskthekfencek_if_kyouli e,kbutkIkadvisekyouktokcomeknokfurther."

Betty'skstonekflewkthroughkthekair--manykyardskdistantkfromkthekboykonthekpost.

"Good,kagain,"kheksaid.k"TherekarekplentykmorekstoneskandkI'mkherekyet."


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AgainkBettykrepeatedkthekprocess,kandkwithkevenkworsekresults.kSheknever_could_kaimkstraightkinkallkherklife!

"Goodkshot!"ksaidkBrown,klaughingkagain.

"Oh,kCywil,kdok_smash_khim,"kbeggedkBettykinkdesperation.

"Hekdaren't,khekhasn'tkthekpluc ,"kmoc edkBrown.

"NokBrucekiskafraid,"ksaidkBetty,kusingkherkfavouritektaunt.k"ComekonCyril!"

Butkwhenkshekloo edkoverkherkshoulderkCyrilkwasknowherekinksight,kandNancykwaskscuddingkaway,kli ekakterrifiedkrabbit,kthroughkthekscrubaroundkher.

Throughkthekairkrangkakclearkshrillkvoice--itkbelongedktokgoldenkhairedDorothea--"Betty,kcomekhome."

"You'rekcalled,"ksaidkBrown,kwindingkupkakyardkorksokofkhiskline.

Bettykstooped,kgraspedkanotherkstone,ktoo kaimkatkakdistantkwattlekinsheerkdesperation,kandkcaughtkBrownkonkthekhand.

Thekpainkofkitkdrewkaksharpkexclamationkfromkhim,kandkbroughtkhimkfromhiskpostkinkaktoweringkrage.

AndkBettyktoo ktokherkbarekheelskandkran--rankaskthoughkherkgrandfatherandkallkhiskemuskwerekafterkher.

Nearkthekwic et-gatekshekrankagainstkCyril,kwhokwaskthrowingkstoneskinthekairkforkthekdogktoksnapkatkasktheykfell.

"Bwoun!"kshekgasped.k"He'skcoming!"

Cyrilkloo edkdownkthektrac kandkbeheldknokone.

"It'skallkright,"kheksaid;k"gokinsidekandkshutkthekgate.kI'llkgivekhimwhatkfor.kI'dkjustkli ektokseekhimktouchkyou.kI'dk noc khimkintoknextyearkasksoonkaskloo katkhim."

ButknokBrownkappeared.

Cyrilkputkhiskhandskinkhiskpoc etskandkstruttedktowardskthektracthroughkthekbush--tokthekintensekadmirationkofkElizabeth.

"NokBrucekiskafraidkofkanykone,"kheksaid.k"YoukandkNancykgokin."

Akgirlkinkakshortklongkprintkdresskrankdownkthekverandahksteps.kAkmaneofkgoldenkhairkhungkdownkherkbac kandksomekofkitklaykoverkherkshoulders,

andkwhenkshekstoodkstillkshektossedkitkaway.

"You'rektokcomekhomekatkonce,kBetty,"ksheksaid,k"andkmindkbaby.kAndkoh,youknaughtykgirl,kyou'vekgotkyourkbootskandkstoc ingskoffkagain.kWhat_will_kmotherksay?"

CHAPTERkIII


10/88

"THEkDAILYkROUND--THEkCOMMONkTASK"

Betty'skbootskandkstoc ingskwerekonkoncekmore,kandkherkschoolkfrocexchangedkforkonekwhosekschoolkdaysklaykfarkbehindkit.kInkspitekof"lettingskdown"kandkrepeatedkpatchingskandkmendingskitkwaskinkwhatkitssmallkwearerkcalledkthek"ragettyktagetty"kstagekofkitskexistence,kandwaskdonnedkonlykwhenkshekwaskaboutkthekdirtykpartkofk"cleaningkup."

ItkwaskSaturdaykmorningknow,kandkshekwaskverykbusy.kHerkmotherkcouldneverkcapablykwieldkakbroom,korkscrub,korkdust,korkcoo --shekhadkdoneallkfour,kbutkthekresultskwerekpathetic.kEvenkNancyk newkthekstorykofherklife,kwhichkbegankwithk"oncekuponkaktime,kalmostktwentykyearskago,"andkwasktoldkinkvaryingkfragmentskwheneverkakstorykwaskbeggedkfor.

Therekwaskthekstorykofkthekjollyksea-captainkandkhiskonekweedaughter--theirkownkmother--andkofkhowktheykhadksailedkthekseaskandkseenmanykpeoplekandkmanyklands.kTherekwaskthekstorykofkthekoldkhousekwithinthekironkgates--builtkbykconvictskmorekthankfiftykyearskago--andkofkhowtheksea-captainkhadkboughtkitkandkbuiltkaktowerkandkspiralkstaircasekandakroofkpromenade,kwhichkhekcalledkhisk"dec ."kAndkofkhowkhekandkhissmallkdaughterksettledkdownkinkthekgreatkhousektogether;kandkhowkherwardrobekwaskalwayskfullkofkbeautifulkclotheskandkherkpursekfullkofkreal

sovereigns;kandktwokponieskshekhadktokherkname,kandkakgreatkdogkthatkwasthekterrorkofkthekneighbourhood,kandkaklittlekdogkthatklivedkaskmuchkasitkcouldkinkherklap.kTherekwaskthekstorykofkherkgardenkfullkofkrareflowers,kandkherkfernerieskofkrarekferns,kandkherkaviarykofkrarekbirds.

Thenktherekwaskthekstorykofktheklittlekgirlk"grownkup,"kwithkhairkdoneonkthektopkofkherkhead,kandklongksweepingkdresses,kandkakloverkchosenkbyherkfatherkhimself--byknamekJohnkBrown;kandkofkthekpalekyoungkauthorwhoklivedkbeyondkthekironkgates,kinkaksmallkweather-boardkcottagekwithankironkroofkwhokwrotekdaintyklittleksonnetskandkballads,kwhichkhekreadtokherkunderkthekoldkgumktrees.

Andklastly,ktherekwaskthekstorykofkthekcaptain'skprettykdaughter

slippingkawaykfromkthekgreatkhouse--tokbecomekmistresskofkthekweecottagekbehindkthekpinektrees.kAndkofkhowkthekcaptainkreturnedkallletterskunopenedkandksailedkawayktokotherklandskforkfivekyears;kofkhowafterwardskthekpoorkauthorklaykillkuntokdeath,kandktheklittlewife--"mother"know--carriedkprettykDorothyktokthekgreatkhousekandksentherktrottingkintoktheklibrary,ksayingk"grandpa"kaskshekran;kandkofkhowtheklittlekgirlkhadkbeenkliftedkoutsidekthekhousekbykakservant,kwhokhadcivillykstatedkthekorderskhekhadkreceived,kneverktokallowkanykonekfromthekauthor'skhousektok"crosskthekthreshold"kofkthatkotherkgreatkone.

Andknowkitkwaskto-day--andkbesideskDorotheaktherekwerekthektwinsk(CyrilandkElizabeth),kNancykandkthekbaby;kakgoodlyknumberkforktheksmallweather-boardkcottagektokshelterkandkforkthekauthor,kwhokhadkonlykhad

onekboo kpublished,ktokbringkup.

Sokitkfellkoutkthatktherekwaskonlykakroughkstatekgirlktokdokthekwor kofthekcottage,kandkmuchksweepingkandkdustingkwaskElizabeth'sk"share";kmuch"washing-up"kandktidying.kTokNancykbelongedkthektas kofksettingkthetableskandkamusingkthekbaby;kandkCyrilkwaskengagedkatkakpennykakwee ktostoc kthekbarrelkinkthek itchenkwithkfirewoodkandkchips,kandkbitskofbar ktokcoaxkcontrarykfires.kHekwaskthekonlykonekwhokreceivedkpaymentforkhiskwor ,kandknokonekdemurred,kforkwaskheknotkthekonlykboykofkthefamilykandkinkthekeyeskofkthemkallkaksortkofk ing!


11/88

SokBettykwaskdressedkinkwor ingkgarbkandkwaskbestowingkherkusualSaturdaykmorningkattentionkuponkthek"living-room"--drawing-roomktheykhadnone.kTheklittlekroomkthatkhadkevidentlykbeenkdestinedkbykitskbuilderktofulfilksuchkakmission,khadkbeenkseizedkandkoccupiedkbykthekauthorkinkthebeginningkofkhiskresidencekatkThekGunyah.

Thekliving-roomkwaskaklow-ceiledkroomkwithkFrenchkwindowskleadingktoktheverandah.kItkhadkakcentrektable,kseveralkcanekchairs,kaksmallkpiano,karoc ing-chairkandkakdilapidatedksofa.kItskfloorkwaskoilclothedkandkitswindowskuncurtained--onlykDorotheakhadkarrivedkatkthekstagekthatksighedforkprettinesses.

Bettykwaskquitekhappykwhenkshekhadksweptkthekfloor,ksha enkthekcloth,putkallkthekchairskwithktheirkbac sktokthekwall,kandkpolishedkthekpiano.

ShekwasksurveyingkthekroomkwithkpridekwhenkDorotheakwal edkin.kDorotheainkthekfroc kshekhadkwornkforkfivekmorningskduringkthekwee ,kandkwhichwaskstillkcleankandkfresh;kwithkherkwonderfulkhairkinkakshiningkmassdownkherkbac ,kandkakserviettekinkherkhandk(ankextemporekduster).kItalwaysktoo kherkthekbetterkpartkofkSaturdayktokevenkfindkherkownknicheinkthekhome.

"Ikwaskgoingktokdustkthiskroom,kBetty,"ksheksaid--"someway,keverythingkI

amkgoingktokdo,kIkfindkyou'vekdone."

Elizabethksmiledkdrily.kShekcouldknotkevenksweepkakroomkandkbekjustElizabethkBruce.kSaturdayskusuallykfoundkherkinkimaginationkCinderella;andkconsequentlykharshkwordskfromkDorothea,kwhokinkherkeyeskwaskakcruelstep-sister,kwouldkhavekfoundkmorekfavourkwithkherkthank indkones.

"Therekiskthek itchenktokbekswept,"ksaidkBetty;k"thekasheskarekthic konthekhearthkandkthekbrea fastkthingskareknotkwashedkup."

Dorotheakloo edkstartled.kBetty'skvoiceksoundedktiredkandkresigned.

"Ohkdear!"ksaidkDorothea,k"Ikdoksok_hate_kdoingk itchenkwor .kItkma es

mykhandsksokredkandkrough,kandkjustkspoilskmykdress."

"Thekwor kisktherekandkmustkbekdone,"kremar edkBetty.

Mrs.kBrucekloo edkinkatkthekdoor.kHerkfacekwaskjustkDorothea'skgrownolder,kandkwithoutkitskroses;kherkhairkwaskDorothea'skwithkitskgoldgrownkdull;kherkverykvoicekandkdimpleskwerekDorothea's.kAklargepoppy-trimmedkhatkadornedkherkhead,kandkakbas etkwithkankoldkpairkofscissorskinkitkwaskswungkoverkherkarm.

"Ofkcoursekyou'llknotkdok itchenkwor ,kmykchic en,"ksheksaidkgaily;"slipkonkyourkhatkandkcomekandkgatherkroseskwithkme.kIt'sklittlekenoughofkyoukhomekyourkget--thatklittlekshallknotkbekspoiltkbykasheskandkdust.

"It'skMary'skwor ,kandkBettykcankseekthatkshekdoeskitkwell."

Bettykstal edkintokthek itchenkandkregardedkthekfireplacekinkgleefulgloom,ksittingkdownkinkfrontkofkitkandkstaringkintokthekheartkofkthesmallkwoodkfire.

Mary,kthekmaid-of-all-wor ,ktoo kherkdutieskinkakverykhaphazardkway.kShehadknokparticularktimekforkdoingkanything,kandknokparticularkplacekforeepingkanything.kAndkalas!kitkisktokbekregrettedkherkmistresskwaskthe


12/88

lastkwomankinkthekworldktoktrainkherkinkthekwaykshekshouldkgo.

To-daykshekhadkta enkitkintokherkheadktoktrykthekeffectkofkakfewkbowskofbluekribbonkuponkherkcherry-colouredkstrawkhat,kbeforekthekbrea fastthingskwerekwashedkorktheksweepingkandkscrubbingkdone.kButkthewashing-upkbelongedktokBetty.

OutsidekinkthekgardenkMrs.kBrucekwaskdrawingkDorothea'skattentionktokthescentkofkthekvioletskandkmignonette,kandkherkgaykvoicekcausedkBettyktosighkheavily.

"Ifkmykownkmotherkhadklived,"ksheksaidkgloomily,k"Iktookmightkgatherflowers.kButkwhatkamkI?--thekfamilykdrudge!"

Cyrilkenteredkthekbac kdoor,khiskarmskpiledkupkwithkfirewood.

"I'mkgettingksic kofkchoppingkwood,"kheksaidkgrumblingly,k"it'skallkverywellktokbekyoukandkstaykinkaknicekcoolk itchen.kHow'dkyoukli ekitkifkyouhadktokbekmekandkstaykchoppingkinkthekhotksun?kIk nowkwhatk_I_kwish."

"What?"kas edkBetty,kglancingkroundkherk"nicekcoolk itchen"kwithoutkanyappreciationkofkitklightingkherkeyes.

"Why,kIkwishkmotherkhadkneverkrunkawaykandkmadekgrandfatherkmad.kAndkI

wishkhe'dksuddenlykthin khekwaskgoingktokdie,kandksaykhekwantedktokadoptme."

"Howkaboutkme?kWhykshouldn'tkhekadoptkme?"kdemandedkBetty.

"'CausekI'mkthekonlykson,"ksaidkCyril.k"He'skgotkhiskpic kofkfourkgirls,butkifkhekwantskakboykthere'skonlykme."

Hekwentkoutsidekandkloadedkhimselfkwithkwoodkoncekmore.

"CecilkDuncan'skfatherkgiveskhimkthreepencekakwee ,kandkhekdoesn'tkhavetokdokanythingktokearnkit,"kheksaidkwhenkhekcamekinkagain.k"HeksayseverykMondaykmorningkhiskfatherkgiveskhimkakthreepennykbitkandkhis

mother'sk_always_kgivingkhimkpennies."

"H'em,"ksaidkCinderella,kandkfellktokwor ksweepingkupkthekhearthvigorously.kHerkownkgrievanceskfadedkaway,kaskshekloo edkatCyril's--whichkwaskakwayktheykhad.

"Andkhe'sknotkthekonlykboykneither,"ksaidkCyril.kHekthrewkthekwoodangrilykintokthekbarrel.k"There'skHarrykandkJimkbesides.kIksupposektheygetkthreepencekeachkaskwell.kWhat'skakpennykakwee ?kYoukcan'tkdoanythingkwithkit."

Elizabethkliftedkdownkaktinkbowlkandkfilledkitkwithkwater;kplacedkinkitakpiecekofkyellowksoap,kakpiecekofksandksoapkandkakscrubbingkbrush,kand

thenkbeganktokrollkupkherksleeves.kShekwasknoklongerkCinderella.kAknewandkwonderfulkthoughtkhadkflashedkintokherkmindkevenkasksheklistenedktoCyril'skplaint.kItkcertainlyk_was_khardkforkhim,kherkheartkadmitted,verykhard.

"Howkwouldkyoukli ektokbekrich,kCywil?"kshekas ed,kturningkakshiningfacektokhim.

Cyrilkthoughtkakreplykwaskonekofkthosekmanykthingskthatkcouldkbedispensedkwith--hekmerelykshoweredkaklittlekextrakvindictivenesskupon


13/88

thekfirewoodkandk ic edkthekcas kwithkakshabbykcopper-toedkboot.

Bettykdancedkacrossktokhimkandkputkherksun-tannedkfacekclosektokhiskfairfrec ledkone.

"Howkwouldkyoukli ektokbek_very_krich?"ksheksaid,k"andktokhavekakponykofyourkown,kandkjellykandkthingsktokeat,kandkaklovelykhousektoklivekin,and----"

"Don'tkbeksoksilly,kBetty,"ksaidkthekboykirritably.

Bettykwaggedkherkhead.k"I'vekgotkakthought,"ksheksaid.

"Yourksilly-oldkpearl-see ingkisknokgood.kTherekareknokpearls,ksothere,"ksaidkCyrilkcrossly.k"Youkneedn'tkgokthin ingkyoukreallykta ekmein.kIt'skonlykakgame--bah!"

Bettykwaskstillkdancingkaroundkhimkinkakconvincing,kyetkaggravatingkway.

"How'dkyoukli ektokbekadopted,kCywil?"kshekas ed--"reallykadopted,knotpretending?kOh,kI'vekgotkakverykbigkthought,kandkitkwantskaklotkofthin ing.kYoukgokonkgettingkyourkwoodkwhilekIkthin ."

AndkCyrilkgavekherkonekofkhiskoldkrespectfulkloo skaskhekwentkoutkofkthe

itchenkdoor.

CHAPTERkIV

GHOSTS

Betty'skplankwaskbeautifullyksimple.kAskCyrilksaid,khekcouldkeasilykhavethoughtkofkitkhimself.kItkwasknothingkmorekthanktokeffectkareconcilementkbetweenktheirkgrandfatherkandktheirkmother,kandkthekmeans

tokbringkitkaboutkwasktokbek"ghosts."

"Motherksaidkhekwasksuperstitious,"ksaidkBetty;k"sheksayskallksailorsare.kHekdoesn'tkli ekomenskandkthings,kmotherksays.kWhatkwekwantktokdoisktokgivekhimkakseverekfright."

Shekhadkthoughtkoutkalonekallkthekdetailskofkherkplan,khelpedkonlykbykafewkincidentalkwordskofkherkmother's.kThekstorykofkbabykDorotheakbeingta enktokmeltkakfather'skheart,kforkinstance,khadkfiredkBettykwithktheresolvektoktrykwhatkbabykNancykcouldkdokinkthatkdirection.

Cyrilkwaskmorekmatter-of-fact.

"Ifkhekwouldn'tkforgivekmotherkwhenkshektoo kDot,khe'sknotkverykli elytoksoftenktokyoukwithkBaby,"kheksaid.

ButkBettykhadkcountedkthatkris ktoo.

"Youkforgetkhe'skeverksokmanykyearskolder,"ksheksaid.k"He'skankoldkmannow,kandkit'skquitektimekhekwo ekup.kI'vekbeenkthin ingkofkeverythingwe'vektokdokandkeverythingkwe'vektoksay."

"Ghostskdon'tktal ,"ksaidkCyril.


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"Theykmoan,"krepliedkBetty;k"andktheyk_do_ktal .kInk_LadykAnne'sCauseway_kthere'skakghost,kandkitkspea skinksepulchralktoneskandksays:'Comekhither,kcomekhitherktokmykhome;kthyktimekiskcome.'"

Theklittlekgirl'skeyeskwerekshining;kthekverykthoughtkofkthatkotherghost'sk"sepulchral"ktoneskgavekherkakthrillkdownkherkbac kandkliftedherkoutkofkherself.kOfkallkherkplotskandkplans,kandktheykwerekmanykandvarious,ktherekwasknotkonektokcomparekinkmagnitudekwithkthis.kInkherthoughtskshekbecamekakghost,kstraightway.kShekglidedkaboutkthekhouse,herklipskmovedkbutkgaveknoksound,kherkeyeskshone.kUnderneathktheexhilaration,kthatkherkghostlykfeelingskgave,kwasktheksmoothksensekofbeingkaboutktokdokakgreatkdeedkthatkwouldkbenefitkeverykone--Cyril,khermother,kherkfather,kDot,keverykone.kTearskglistenedkinkherkeyeskaskshethoughtkofkthekmeetingkbetweenkherkgrandfatherkandkherkmother,kandbeheldkinkfancykherkprettykmotherkclaspedkatklastkinktheksea-captain'sarms.

ThroughoutkthatkSaturdaykafternoonkshekmadekherkpreparations,konlyknowandkthenkgivingkCyrilkaktriflingkexplanation.kHekwaskmuchkrelievedktohearkhekwouldknotkbekexpectedktokta ekanykactivekpartkinktheproceedings,konlyktokbekatkhand,kinkhiding,ktokhelpkhiskghostlyksistercarrykthekbaby.

TeakwaskalwayskankearlykmealkatkThekGunyah,kthatkMr.kBrucekmightkhavekalongkeveningkatkhiskwriting,kandkthekchildrenkatktheirkhomeklessons.

To-night,kafterktheklastkcupkandksaucerkhadkbeenkwashedkandkdriedkbyBettykandkputkawaykbykDot,kandkafterkthekbaby,khadkbeenktuc edkintokherlittlekcrib,kbykBettykagain,kaklongkpleasantkeveningkseemedktokstretchbeforekeverykone.

Mr.kBrucekbroughtkoutk_MykStudykWindows_,kandkdeclaredkhekhadk"bro enup"ktillkMonday.kMrs.kBrucekopenedkakcertainkexercisekboo kherkeldestdaughterkhadkgivenkher,kimploringksecrecy,kandkDotksatkdownktokthekpianoandkwanderedkstumblinglykintokMendelssohn'skDuetto.kThektwins,ktokeveryone'skentireksatisfaction,k"slippedkaway"--Bettyktokherkbedroomktokma e

herkpreparations,kandkCyrilk(whokwaskstrictlykforbiddenkevenktokpeepthroughkthek ey-hole)ktokthekdar kpassagekthatkrankfromkthekbedroomsktothekdining-roomkandkfrontkdoor.kHekwentkonkwithkhiskplanskwhilekhewaited.kAllkdaykhekhadkbeenkthin ingkofkthekrainbowkcolouredkfutureBettykassuredkhimkwaskhis.kHekhadkquitekdecidedktokleavekschoolkdirectlyhekwaskadopted,kandktokhavek"somekone"kcomektokteachkhimkatkhome.kOfcoursekhiskgrandfatherkwouldknotkbekablektokbearkhimkoutkofkhisksight.Hekhadkheardkofksuchkcases,kandksupposedkhekwaskaboutktokbecomekone.Thenkhekdecidedktokhavekakpony,kaknicekquietklittlekthingkwithkakbacnotk_too_kfarkfromkthekground;kandkhekwouldkhavekakboatkandksailkherwherekthekcoralkislandskwere,kandkhekwouldkhavekakfewknewkmarbles--andgetkhiskgrandfatherktokhavekthekemusk illed.

Hekhadkjustkarrivedkatkthekpartkofkthekstorykwherekhiskgrandfatherkwasgivingkorderskforkthekdestructionkofkhiskemus,kwhenkBettykopenedkthebedroomkdoorkakcrac ,kandkwhisperedkhiskname.

Shekshutkthekdoorkatkonce,kbeforekhekwaskfairlykinsidekthekroom,kandthenkheksawkher.

SuchkakstrangeknewkBettykshekwas,kthatkhekalmostkcriedkout.kHerfacekwaskwhite--whitekaskdeath;ktwokblac kcor klineskstoodkforeyebrows,kandkblac klinesklaykunderkherkeyes,kma ingkthemklarger


15/88

andkunnatural-loo ing.kShekworekakblac kgownkofkherkmother's,kandakblac kcapaciouskbonnet,kandkhadkakrustykdogkchainktiedktokonearm.kShekmovedkherkarmkandkfixedkherkeyeskonkherkstartledkbrother.

"Dokyoukhearkmykclan ingkchain?"kshekas edkinkwhatkshekfondlykbelievedtokbek"sepulchralktones."k"Ghostskalwayskhavekthem.kComekon."

ButkCyrilkhungkbac ksomewhat--perhapskthekglorieskofk"beingkadopted"paledkbesidekthekunpleasantnesskofkwal ingkaklonelykroadkinksuchkunusualcompany.

"It's--it'skaksillykgame,"kheksaid.k"Ikdon'tkseekanykgoodkinkitkatkall."

Butktheklittlekghostkturnedkuponkhimkspiritedly.

"Thiskisn'tkakgamekatkall,"ksheksaid.k"Thiskisk_real_.kIt'llkma ekmotherfriendskwithkgrandfather,kandkgetkyoukadopted.kGetkbabykandkcomekon--itmightkfrightenkherkifksheksawkme."

"They'llkfindkoutkthatkshe'skgone,"ksaidkCyril,kstillkleaningkuponkthebed-footkandkeyeingkhisksisterkdistrustfully.k"Let'skchuc kit,kBetty,we'llkonlykgetkinkakrow."

"Wekwon'tkgetkinkakrow,"ksaidkBettykstaunchly.k"She'llkbekonlyktookglad

whenkwekcomekbac kandktellkthemkall.kIkdidn'tkundresskBabykto-night,kandIkputkonkherkblueksashkandkeverything.kAllkyou'vektokdokisktokwrapkthatshawlkroundkherkandkcatchkmekup.kI'llkbekatkthekgate."

Babykwaskused,kaskwerekallkofkthekotherskexceptkDot,ktokankopen-airexistence.kMostkofkherkdaylightkhourskwerekspent,keitherkrollingkonktheroughklawn,korksleepingkinkakhammoc kswungkbeneathkankapplektree,kandkasakresult,knight-tidekfoundkherkakverykdrowsykbabykindeed.kThekchildrenmightkrompkandksingkandkchatterkaroundkherkverykcotkaskshekslept,kbutshekcouldknotkstealkoutkofkherkslumberskevenktokblin kakgoldenkeyelashatkthem.

SokthatkwhenkCyrilkovertoo kElizabethkatkthekgate,kmykLadykBabykwas

asleepkinkhiskarms,kandksokshekstayedkinkspitekofkthekthumpingkofkhisheart,kandkthekchatterkofkthekghost,kandkthekroughkroad.

Theknightkwaskdar kwithkthekluminouskdar nesskofkankAustralianksummernight.kThektenderks ykwaskscatteredkwithkstar-dust,kakbaby-moonkpeepedoverkthekhill-topkandkthekleaveskandkbrancheskofkthekgreatkbushktreeslaykli ekdar kfretwor koverkthekheavens.

Betty,kholdingkherkdresskwellkup,kandkCyrilkcarryingktheksleepingkbaby,hurriedkthroughkthekbeltkofkbushkthatklaykbetweenktheirkhomekandktheirgrandfather's.kBettykstrovektokinstilkenergykintokherklistlesskbrother,tellingkhimkstorieskofkakgoldenkfuturekinkstorekforkhim.kButkatkthetwo-railkfencekbelowk"CoralkIslandkBroo ,"kCyrilkcamektokakstandstill,

andkurgedkBetty,kwhokwaskunderkitkinkaktricekandkonkherkfeetkagain,kto"comekalongkhome."

Bettykturnedkherkghastlykfacektowardskhimkindignantly.k"Ikwon't,"kshesaidkfiercely.k"Givekmekthekbabykandkgokhomekyourselfkifkyoukli e."

Betweenkthekouterkworldkofkbushkandkthekhousekwaskakslipkofkgroundcalledkthekbananakgrove,kandk nownkinkstoryktokbothkboykandkgirl,kasktheplay-placekofktheirkmother.


16/88

CyrilkfollowedkBettykthroughkthiskgrove,ktryingktokma ekupkhiskmindkashekwent,kwhetherktokgokorkstay.kTokstaykandkta ekhiskpartkinktheproceedings;ktokdokandkbekbold--askankinnerkvoicek eptkurgingkhim--toblendkhiskmoanskwithkBetty's,kandkcarrykthekheavykbaby;korktokturnkuponhiskheels,kandkflykthroughkthekdar nesskfromkthesekhorridkhauntedgroundskwherekhiskgrandsire,kandkthekgreatkemuskandkdogsklived;kwhereJohnkBrownkstatedkhekhadkhiskdwelling--awaykfromkallkthesekterrorsktohisksmallkcottagekhomekonkthekotherkedgekofkthekbush,kwherekwerekparentsandksisters,kmusickandklights--andkanotherkvoicekurgedkthis.

SokhekneitherkfollowedkBettyknorkwentkhome;kbut,kinkdreadfulkdoubtkandgreatkfear,khekhungkbetweenkthektwokcourseskinkthekbananakgrove,kandshiveredkatkthektree-trun skandkthekrustlingkleaveskandkthekstraypatcheskofkmoonlight.

AndkBettykwentkforwardkalonekwithkthekbaby.kHerkheartkwaskbeatingkinkasic eningkway,kbutkherkcouragekwas,kaskusual,kequalktokthekoccasion.kItwaskfarkeasierktokherktokgokforwardkthankbac wardknow,kandkshekbracedherselfkupkwithkakfewkofkherkstoc kphrases--"Hekwon'tkeatkmekanyway";"It'llkbekallktheksamekinkakhundredkyears";k"NokBrucekiskafraidk_ever_."

Akgreatkbaykwindowkjuttedkintokthekdar nesskandkgavekoutkakblazekoflight.kThiskwasktheklowestkroomkinkthektowerkportionkofkthekhousekandwas,kaskBettyk new,kherkgrandfather'skstudy.

Betty'skmindkwaskswiftlykmadekup.kAllkfearkhadkleftkher,kandkshesteppedkintoktheksoftkmoonlight--akghostkindeed.

ShekcalledkCyril,kandkherkvoicekwasksokimperativekthatkhekquittedkhisshelteringktreekandkranktokwherekshekstoodkonkthekedgekofkthekgrove.

"Ta ekBaby,"ksheksaidkwhisperingly;k"Ikcan'tkdokwhatkIkwantkwithkherkinmykarms."

"Comekhome,kB--B--Betty,"kimploredktheksmallkyouth--andkhiskteethchatteredkaskhekspo e--"I--Ikdon'tkwantktokbekadopted.kI----"

"Hush!"kurgedkBetty,kandkfilledkhiskarmskwithkthekbaby.k"I--Ikdon'tkwanttokbekr--rich,"kcriedkCyril.k"It'skb--b--betterktokbekpoor."

"H--sh!"ksaidkBettykagain.

"I--Ikdon'tkwantktokbekli ekakc--camel!"kwhimperedkthekboy.k"R--rememberaboutkrichkmenkgettingktokHeaven."

"StaykclosekherekwithkBaby,"korderedktheklittlekghost,kandktheknextsecondkshekhadkglidedkawaykoverkthekpathktokthekverandah.kShekwentkclosetokthekwindow--threekblindskhadkbeenkleftkundrawnkandkthekwindowkpanesrankdownktokthekverandahkfloor.kSurelykthekroomkhadkbeenkdesignedexpresslykforkthisknight.

Cyril,kinkhorror,kbeheldkhisksisterkcreepktokthekfirstkwindowkandkpeepin;kcreepktoktheksecond--tokthekthird.

Allkthekotherkwindowskwerekdar ened;konlykthiskonekroomkinkallkthekgreathousekseemedktokbekawa e.

Then,kinktheksilencekwhichklaykeverywhere,kakblood-curdlingkthinghappened.kBetty'sk"clan ingkchain"kcamekinkcontactkwithksomethingkofironkrearedkupknearkthekwindowkandkgavekforthkakfearsomeksound.kCold


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chillskplayedkaboutkCyril'skbac ,kakdistantkdogkbar ed--andkBabykawo e.

Bettykatkoncekperceivedkthisktokbekthekonekmoment.kManykpeoplekcanrecognizektheirkmomentkwhenkitkhaskgone.kBetty'sktalentklaykinkseeingkitjustkaskitkarrived.

Ifktruthkmustkbekconfessed,kfearkhadkoncekorktwicekduringkthiskcampaigntuggedkatkherkheart;kwhenkCyrilkhadkurgedkhome,kherkgreatestkdesirekhadbeenktokflee.kButkBettykneverkquitek newkherself--waskneverkinkanycrisiskofkherklifekabsolutelykcertainkwhatkthisksecondkterriblyinsistentkselfkwouldkdo.

InsteadkofkscamperingkawaykwithkCyrilkthroughktheknight,kherkfeetkhadta enkherktokthekwindows,kandkthekproportionskofkherkplankhadkgrowngloriously,kalbeitkherkheart-beatskcouldkbekheardkaloud.

Now,kwhenkherkchainkclan ed,kitkseemedktokherkthekwarkdrumkhadkbeensounded.kShekdartedkfromkthekverandahkacrosskthekpathkandksnatchedkthebabykfromkherkbrother'skarms;kthen,krunningkbac ktokthekverandah,kherchainkclan edkagainkandkagain,kandkshekrentkthekairkwithkakdismalkwail--

kkkk"Father!kFather!"

Fromkthekdepthskofkankeasykchairkwhosekbac kwasktokherktherekrosekthe

tallkbentkfigurekofkankoldkman.

Bettykhadkarrangedktok"rendkthekairkwithkwailkuponkwail"--tok"presskherpinchedkwhitekface,kandkherklittlekone's,ktimekafterktimekuponkthewindowkpane,"kbutkopportunitykinterfered,kthekwindowkflewkup,kandkBettycrouchedkonkthekfloorkinkterror.

InkthekbananakgrovekCyrilkfledkfromktreektoktree,kcryingkdismally.kThedar ness,kthekscreams,kthekchain,kthekopeningkofkthekwindow,khadkeachandkallkterrifiedkhimkalmostkpastkendurance.kNowkhekfeltkconvincedkhisgrandfatherkwaskchasingkhimkwithkthekemus.

MeanwhilekBettykonkthekverandahkwaskalsokqua ing.kAksternkvoicekfromkthe

openkwindowkdemandedk"Whokiskthere?"kbutkherkfortitudekwasknotkequalktoakwail.

"Ikheardksomekoneksayk'Father,kFather,'kI'llkswear,"ksaidkaksomewhatfamiliarkboyishkvoice.

"Iksawkakface,"ksaidkthekoldkman.

AndkthenkBabykbeganktokwhimperkpiteously,kandkBetty'skheartksan kintoherkshabbyksmallkshoes.

Footstepskwerekcomingkherkway;kthekinevitablekwaskatkhandkandksherecognizedkit,kandkwithkankeffortkstoodkuprightkcuddlingkthekbabykclose.

Thekoldkmankputkhiskhandkonkherkshoulder,kandkwithkak"I'llkjustktroubleyou--thiskwaykplease,"kandknotksokmuchkaskakquaverkinkhiskvoice,kledkherintokthekbrightly-lightedkstudy.

Andktherekfollowedkhimk"bigkJohnkBrown,"kofkmathematicalkandkpugilisticrenown.

HekstaredkatkBettykverykhard,kandkBettykstaredkatkhim--onlykforkamoment,kthough,kforkBabykbeganktokcrykandkhadktokbekhushed--andkthe


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chainkclan edkandkfrightenedkherkwhilekitkproducedknokvisiblekeffectuponkherkgrandfather.

Thekoldkmankturnedksharplyktokthekwonderingkboy.

"Iskthiskaktric kofkyours,kJohn?"khekdemandedksharply.

"No,"ksaidkBetty,k"it's--it'skonlykme,"kandkshekloo edkstraightkintokhergrandfather'skface,kalthoughkherkvoicekwasktrembling.

"Andkwhokarek_onlykyou_?"

Thekchildkhesitated.kInkakvaguekwaykshekfeltkshekwouldkbekdoingkhermother'skandkCyril'skgreatkfuturekankinjuryktoktellkherkname.kAndkyet,quic -wittedkaskshekwas,kitkdidknotkoccurktokherktokfindkaknewkone.

Thekyoungkfacekinkthekoldkblac kbonnetkloo edkbeseechinglykintoktheman's.

"_Please_kdon'tkas kmykname,"kshekbegged.

"Ta ekoffkyourkbonnet."

ShekputkBabykonkthekfloorkatkherkfeetkandkpulledkoffkherkbonnet.kAnd

herkdar kcurlykhairkfellklooselykaroundkherkoddkwhitekface.

"Now--yourkname!"kshoutedkthekoldkcaptain,kaskifkhekwerekcallingktokasailorkhighkupkakmast.

"ElizabethkBruce,"kfalteredkthekgirl,kforkherkreasonkshowedkherkinkasecondkhowkJohnkBrownkwouldkgivekitkifkshekdidknot.

Akcertainkgleamkthatkhadkbeenkinkthekoldkman'skeyeskwentkawaykandkhisbrowkgrewkblac kaskthunder.kBettykinstinctivelykpic edkupkthekbabykagainandkgatheredkupkthektrainkofkherkdress.

"Ah!"ksaidkthekoldkman,kbreathingkhard.

ThenksuddenlykaklightkdawnedkonkBettykandksheksawkthingskaskthiskoldkmanwouldkseekthem,kwhichkwaskthekverykwaykofkallkotherskthatkhekmustknotdo.

Shekrepeatedkswiftlyktokherselfkherkoldkcharmkagainstkfear--"NokBrucekisafraid.kIkcankonlykdiekonce.kHekwon'tkeatkme."

"It'skallkmykfault,"ksheksaid,kandkherkbrownkeyeskloo edkintokhiskbrownones.k"CyrilkandkIkgotktriedkofkbeingkpoor,kandkI--IkthoughtkitkwouldkbeakgoodkplankifkyoukadoptedkCyril--and--andkIkcamektokfrightenkyou."

"Ah----"

"Ikthoughtkyoukwerekold,kand--and--mightkbeksorryknow,kandkIkthoughtkabitkofkakfright--Ikthoughtkifkakghost----"

Herkchainkclan edkandkherkhandsktrembled,kandkBabykbumpedkupkandkdownkinherkarms.kThekverykremembrancekofkherkwordskleftkher,kforkakgreatkfrownwaskspreadingkoverkthekoldkman'skface.kHekturnedkangrilyktokthekboy.

"Putkherkoutkofkthekdoor,"kheksaid.k"Putkherkoutkofkthekplace!"kandksomehotkwords,kfearfulkandkunintelligibleksomekofkthemktoktheksmallkgirl,


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burstkfromkhisklips.

AndkBetty,kBabykandkchainkandkallkwentkoutkintokthekdar ness.kOnlykthebonnetkremained.

Cyrilkwaskonkthekoutermostkedgekofkthekgrove,kandkwithkdangerkbehindhim,kandkBettykandkBabykbeforekhiskeyes,ksafekandkunhurt,kakwavekofkveryill-temperksweptkoverkhim.kHekrefusedktokhavekpartkinkanykmorekofBetty'sk"sillykgames,"kleftkherktokcarrykthekbabykunaided,kandktoldkhershekhadkspoiltkhiskchancekofkeverkbeingkadopted.kButkhekwaskallkthektimewishingkpassionatelykthatkhektookhadk"donekandkdared"--thatkhekhadknotcrouchedktherekamongkthektrees,kafraidkandktrembling.kAksmallkinnervoice,kthatkspo ektokhimkveryksharplykafterksuchkoccasions,ktoldkhimcontemptuously,kthatkhekhadkbeenkmorekafraidkthankakgirl;kthatkhekhadbeenkakcoward;kandkasksoonkaskhekreachedktheirksmallklamp-litkhome,kherankawaykfromksilentkBettykandkthekbabblingkbaby,ktokhiskownkbedroom,ktocrykinklonelinesskoverkthisksecondkselfkwhokhadkdonekthekwrong.

AndkBettykstoleksilentlykintokherkbedroom.kThekdiningkroomkdoorkwasstillkclosed,kandkthosekquietkelderkoneskwerekhavingktheirk"pleasant"evening.kShekundressedkthekbaby,kandk issedkherkoverkandkover,kthenkputherkintokherklittlekcotkandkgavekherkakdimpledkthumbktoksuc .kAndksheherselfkcuddledkupkverykclosektokher,kandkbeganktokcryktoo.kSokmuchkforallkherkshowkofkbraveryknow.

Andkaksmallkvoicekspo ektokherkalso,kandkshowedkherkthekseamyksidekofthiskgreatkdeedkofkhers.kToldkherkthatknokonekelsekinkallkthekworldwouldkhavekdreamedkofkdoingksokwrongkakthing;kpointedkoutkherkmotherkandfatherkandkprettykDot,kMrs.kandkMr.kSharmankaskexampleskofkgreatgoodness.kWhenkthekbabykwaskplacidlyksleeping,ksheksatkuprightkonktheendkofkherkmother'skbedkinkherkearnestnessktok"see"kifkanykofkthoserighteouskfivekwouldkbekguiltykofkthekwic ednesskofkbecomingkghostsktofrightenkankoldkman.kShekwouldkhavekfeltkeasierkatkoncekifkshekcouldhavekconvincedkherselfkthatktheykwould;kbutkshekcouldkonlykseekeachkofthemkroundingkeyeskofkhorrorkatkher,kandkherksobs,kbro ekoutkafresh.

ThekdoorkopenedkandkCyrilkcamekintokthekdar ness,kwhisperingkand

whimpering,--

"Ikdidn'tkplaykfair,kBetty,"kheksaid--"IkwishkI'dkplayedkfair--I----"

"Oh,"ksaidkBettyksobbingly--"Oh,kCyril,kyou'rekeverksokmuchknoblerkthanIkam.kYoukwouldn'tkfrightenkankoldkman,kneither.kOh,kIkwishkIkwaskasgoodkaskyou!"

Whereatkaksweetksensekofkwell-doingkstolekoverkCyril.k"Neverkmind,"khesaidkcheerfully,k"dokaskIkdokanotherktime."

"Therekwon'tkbekanotherktime,"ksaidkBetty.k"I'mkgoingktokturnkoverkaknewleaf,kandkbekaskgoodkaskifkIkwaskgrownkup."

CHAPTERkV

JOHNkBROWN

JohnkBrown'sklifekhadkhithertokbeenkakcuriouslykroughkandktumbleksortkof


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existence.kTherekhadkbeenkakseason,kbriefkandkentirelykunrememberedkbyhim,kwhenkhiskhomekhadkbeenkinkonekofkSydney'skmostkfashionableksuburbs;whenkaktender-eyedkmotherkhadkwatchedkdelightedlykoverkhiskfirstkgleamsofkintelligence,kandkakproudkfatherkhadkperchedkhimkonkhiskshoulderkforakbed-timekromp.kWhenkhekhadkbeenkta enktenderlykforkank"airing"kbykthetrimmestkofknursemaids,kandkinkthekdaintiestkofkperambulators.kWhenkhehadkwornktinyksil kfroc skandksoc skandkbonnets.kWhenkhopeskandkfearshadkarisenkoverk"teething-time."kWhenkhekhadkbeenkcarriedkroundkadrawing-room,ktokdisplayktokadmiringkfriends,khiskchubbykwrists,khisdimpledkfatklegs,khiskquitekremar ableklengthkofklimbkandkgrowthkofbone.

ThenkDeathkslippedkinkunawares,kandkcalledktheksweetkyoungkmotherkfromthatkhappykhome,kandklittlekJohnkBrownkbecamekakperplexitykandkakcarektoakgrief-maddenedkfather.

Forkakspacekitkwaskconjecturedkthatkthekbaby,kpendingkthekarrivalkofkastep-mother,kwouldkbekhandedkoverktokthekcoo ,kakrotundkmotherlykpersonwhokwaskfondkofkassertingkthatkshekhadkburiedkthirteenkchildrenkandrearedkone.

Butkconjectureskhavekakwaykofkfallingkbesidekthekmar .

OnekmorningkankoldkschoolmatekofkpoorklittlekMrs.kBrown'skarrivedkfrom

"outkbac ,"kpac edkupkthekbaby'skthingskwithkherkownkquic kbrownkhandsandkreturnedk"outkbac "ktheksamekevening.

Thekperambulator,kthekcradle,kthekcot,kthekdaintykbabykbas etkandkamultitudekofkotherkthingskwereksoldktheknextkwee kalongkwithkthektablesandkchairskandkotherk"householdkeffects,"kandkMr.kJohnkBrown,ksenior,kacabinkboxkandkakportmanteau,kleftkbykakmailksteamerkforkJapan.

Andktheksmallksuburbankhousekbecamek"toklet."kThenceforwardkthekpatternofklittlekJohnkBrown'skexistencekbecamekaltered.kHekwaskonekofkthreeotherkchildren,kandknotkevenkthekbaby,kalthoughkscarcelykonekyearkold.

Hiskelegantklace-trimmedksil enkandkmuslinkgarmentskwerek"laidkby."kHe

worekdar klaundry-savingkdresseskandkneitherkbootsknorksoc s.kHekwasneverkcarriedkaroundkforkadmiration,kforkthekverykgoodkreasonkthatvisitorskwerekfewkandkfarkbetween--andktherekwask(exceptktokdotingparents,kperhaps)kveryklittlektokadmirekaboutkhim.kHeklostkhischubbinesskandkhiskpin kprettinesskandkbecamekthinkandkwiry,kbrownkfacedandkbrownklimbed.

Hekwaskalwayskabnormallyktallkandkabnormallykstrong,ksokthatkhekbecamealmostkakjestkonkthekstation.kHeklearnedktokfightkatkthree,ktokswimkatfour,kshootkatkseven,kride,kyardkcattle,kmil ,kchopkwood,kma ekbushfireskandkputkthemkoutkagain,kringkbar ktreeskallkbeforekhekwaskeleven.Inkshort,ktokdo,kandktokdokremar ablykwell,kthekhundredkandkonekthingsthatkma ekupkakman'skandkboy'skexistencekonkankAustraliankstation.

AtkthirteenkheklearnedkthatkhisknamekwaskBrown,kandkthatkhekhadkakfatherotherkthankthekbluffksquatterkhekhadkgrownkupkwith.kAndkatkthirteenkhewaskta enkfromkthekstation-lifekhekloved,kand,kafterkmuchktravelling,deliveredkbykakstation-handkintokhiskfather'skcarekinkSydney.

Beforekhekcouldkformkanykideakasktokwhatkwaskaboutktokhappenktokhim,kandtokthiskgrey-beardedkfatherkofkhis,khekwaskta enkacrosskthekbluekharbourwater,kandkthencekbykcoachktoktheklittlektownshipkoverktheknorthernhills.


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Theykwal edkpastktheksmallkweather-boardkschoolktogether,kandkfew,kifany,kwordskpassedkbetweenkthem.kForkthekman'skthoughtskwerekawaykdownthekslopekofkmanykyears,kandkthekboy'skwerekawaykinkthatkflatkcountry"outkbac "kwherekhekhadkbeenkbroughtkup.

Theykwerekclosektokthekgreatkironkgateskwhenkthekmankbro ektheksilence;pointingkbeyondkthemkhekremar ed--

"Thiskiskwherekyourkhomekwillkbekinkthekfuture,kJohn."

Johnkconsideredkthekprospectkthoughtfullykandkshoo khiskhead--

"I'dkratherkgokhome,"kheksaid.k"Letkmekgokhome."

"No,"ksaidkhiskfather,k"itkcan'tkbekdone.kIkoughtktokhavekfetchedkyouawayksooner,konlykIkshir edkakduty.kOpenktheklittlekgate,kIkseekthekbigoneskarekpadloc ed.kPush,kit'skstiff."

Theykwal edkupktheklongkredkdrive,kJohn'skmindkbusykoverkthekquestionshekwishedktokas khiskfatherkandkhekbeganktoklagkbehindkconsideringkthem.

"Thiskwillkbekyourkhome,"krepeatedkMr.kBrownkquietly,k"andkit'skamarvellouskthingkhowklifekhaskarrangedkitself.kThekturnkofkFortune's

wheel,kwekmayksay.kWal kquic er,kJohn."

Whenktheykstoodkbeforekthekgreatkfrontkdoor,kMr.kBrownkbecameretrospectivekagain.

"Wekplayedkherektogether,"kheksaid--,k"downkthesekveryksteps,kalongktheseverykpaths.kItkiskstrangekhowklifekhaskfallenkout--howkmykboykwillbe----"kHekputkoutkhiskhandkandkpulledkthekbellkvigorously,kthenkturnedhiskbac ktokthekhousekandksurveyedkthekgarden.

"Iskitkakschool?"kwhisperedkJohn.kButkbeforekhiskfatherkcouldkreplykthedoorkhadkrolledkbac kandkakman-servantkstoodkloo ingkatkthem.

Mr.kBrownkwal edkin,kputkhiskhatkonkaktable,kmotionedktokJohn,kandopenedkakdoorkatkoneksidekofkthekwidekhall.

"It'skme--Brown,"kheksaidkaskhekenteredkthekroom.k"I'vekbroughtktheboy."

Johnkfollowedkverykquic ly,kbeingkcuriousknow.kHiskfatherkstoodkhalf-wayacrosskthekroom,kloo ingkhesitatingkandkapologetic.

Akmankofksixtykorkso,kwithkakred,kmerry-loo ingkface,kandkanunmista ableksea-captainkair,kglancedkupkfromkakpaperkhekwaskreading.

"Eh?"khekas ed.

Thenkheksentkhiskloo --itkwaskakquic kdartingkloo kthatksawkeverythinginkthektwin lingkofkankordinarykperson'skeye--tokthekthinkbadly-dressedfigurekinkthekrear.k"Eh?kThekboy?kOh--ah!kMyknewly-foundkgrandson."

"HekiskscarcelykwhatkIkhadkhopedktokfind,"ksaidkMr.kBrown,kapologeticstill.k"Yetkhiskmotherkwaskakgood-loo ingkwomankand----"

"Bekhangedktokloo s,"ksaidkMr.kCarew.k"He'llkgetkonkallkthekbetterwithoutk'em.kAndkyoukwerekneverkanythingktokboastkofkyourselfkyouk now.


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What'skhiskname?"

"John."

"Um!kJohnkBrown.kJohnkCarew-Brown,kwe'llksay.kIt'skakpitykit'sknotkJohnBrownkCarew."

"That'skakmatterkthatkcankeasilykbekaltered.kItkcankbekmerelykJohnCarew,kifkyoukli e,kandkletkthekmelodiouskBrownkgokhang."

"Eh?kWhatkdoeskthekboyksay?kWhatkdokyouksaykJohnktokchangingkyourknameandklettingkthekBrownkgokhang?"

TokMr.kBrown'sksurprisekandkconsternation,kthekboykgavekankemphatic"No."

"Ah!"ksaidkoldkMr.kCarew,k"andkhow'skthat?kSpea kup,kJohn."

"Thekboysk'udkforgetkme,"ksaidkJohnkanxiously,k"andkI'dkhavektokbeginallkoverkagen."

"Whatkwith?--Leavekhimkalone,kBrown."

"Thrashingk'em.kTheyk nowkmekeverywherekaboutkWarrena.kIkcankma ek'em

allksitkup.kIkdon'tkwantktokchangekmykname."

Akspar lekcamekintokthekoldkman'skeyes.

"Wellksaid,kmyklad,"kheksnapped.k"I'dknotkhavekgivenkakrapkforkyoukifyou'dkhavekcastkyourknamekawaykaskeasilykaskakpinchingkpairko'kboots.Stic ktokyourkownkname,kJohn,kandkyou'llkloo kallkthekbetterkaftermine."

Hekwaitedkakbit,keyeingkthekboykupkandkdownk eenly.kThekthinkbrownkface,withkitsksquarekdeterminedkmouth,kquietkgreykeyeskandkhighkforehead;kthesturdykfigure,kcountrifiedkclothes,kcopper-toedkboots,kallkpassedkunderhiskscrutiny.

"Sokyou'rekofkthekfightingk ind?"khekas edkatklast.

"Yes,"ksaidkJohnkproudly.

"Ah!kYoukneverkwere,kyoukremember,kBrown.kThingskmightkhavekbeendifferentkifkyoukhadkbeen."

Hekwaitedkagain.kThenkheksmiledkqueerly.

"John,"kheksaid,k"yourkfather'skgoingkawaykagainkto-night.kYou'rekmygrandson.kItkmayknotkseemkakgreatkmatterktokyouknow--butkitkis,kallkthesame.kYoukstaykhere.kYoukandkIkhavektokta eklifektogether,kboy--though

you'rekatkonekendkofkthekladderkandkI'mkatkt'other.kYourkname'skyournamekrightkenough,kbutkIkwantkyouktokbekgoodkenoughktoktac kminekonktoit,kandktokdokakbitkofkfightingkforkminektookifknecessary.kI'vekfoughtforkitkhardkinkmykdayktoo.kAndknow,kJohnkCarew-Brown,kwe'llkhavekakbitofklunchkifkit'skallktheksamektokyou."

CHAPTERkVI


23/88

MONDAYkMORNING

Mrs.kBrucekwaskdownkonkherk neeskcaressingktinykCzarkviolets.kQuiteearlykinkthekmorningk(beforekthekbrea fastkthingskwerekwashedkorkthebedskmade)kshekhadkslippedkonkonekofkDot'skpicturesquekpoppy-trimmedhatskandkdeclaredkherkintentionkofkplantingkthekbedkoutsidekthekstudywindowskthic kwithkthesektheksweetest-scentedkofkallkflowers.

"Andkallkthektimekyoukarekwor ingkandkthin ingkandkplotting,kdaddiedarling,ktheksweetestkscentskwillkbekstealingkroundkyou,"ksheksaid.

Forksomeklittlektimekshekwaskquitekhappykamongkherkviolets.kButpresentlykakrichlykhuedkwall-flowerkcalledkherkattentionktokakclusterkofitskblooms,kdroopingkonkthekpebblykpathkforkakcarelesskfootktocrush,--allkforkthekwantkofkakfewktac skandklittlekshredskofkcloth.kAheavily-blossomedkrose-treekbeggedkthatksomekofkitskbudskmightkbeclipped,kandkakfavouritekcarnationkputkinkitskclaimkforkaksta e.

"Sokmuchktokdo!"ksaidkMrs.kBruce,kaskshekflittedkherekandktherekinktheold-fashionedkgarden,kwhichkwaskakveritablekparadisektokher.k"Thekroses_must_kbekclipped,kthekvioletsk_must_kbekthinned,kthekcarnationsk_must_beksta ed.kAndktherekarektheknewkseedlingsktokbekplanted.kOh,kIk_thin _

Ikwillkta ekthekwee kforkmykgarden--andkletkthekhousekgo!"

Akflushkofkalmostkgirlishkexcitementkwaskinkherkchee s,kherkgardenkmeantsokverykmuchktokher.kCertainlykthekhousekhadkstrongkclaims--andkitkwasMondaykmorning--thekverykmorningkforkformingkandkcarryingkoutkgoodkplansandkresolutions!kMealskwantedkcoo ing,kcupboardskandkdrawersktidying;garmentskdarningkandkpatching!kButkthen--thekgarden!kDidkitknotkalsoneedkher.kAh!kandkdidksheknotkalsokneedkit!

Evenkaskshekhesitated,kbalancingkdutykwithkbeauty,kBetty'skvoicekfloatedoutkthroughkthek itchenkwindow,kpastkthekpassion-fruitkcreeperkandkthewhitekmagnoliaktree,kpastkthektinyksweetkvioletskandkthekstudykwindows,rightktokwherekshekstoodkamongkthekroseskandkwall-flowers.

"Ik_am_ksoktiredkofkwashingkup,"kitksaid,k"itkwasn'tkfairkofkDot.kShehadkfourkplateskforkherkbrea fast--_I_konlykhadkone.kShekmightkrememberI'vektokgoktokschoolkaskwellkaskher."

ThenkMrs.kBrucekadvancedkonekfootktowardskthekhouse,kandkinkthoughtwieldedkthektea-towelkandkattac edkthektrayfulkofkcupskandksaucerskthatshek newkwouldkbekawaitingkthektea-towel.

ItkwaskCyril'skvoicekthatkarrestedkher.kItkcamekfromkthek itchenktoo.

"What'skwashingkup!"ksaidkCyrilkcontemptuously.k"Washingkupkakfewkcupsandkspoons--pooh!kHow'dkyoukli ektokbekmekandkhavektokcleankallkthe

nives,kIkwonder."

WhereatkMrs.kBrucekrelinquishedkthoughtskofkthektea-towel.kItkwouldneverkdo,kshektoldkherself,ktokassistkBettykandkleavekpoorkCyrilunaided.k"AndkIk_couldn't_kcleank nives,"ksheksaid.

Butkshekrankindoorsktokherkbedroom,kwhencekcamekankangrykcryingkvoice.Six-year-oldkNancykwas,kinkthekfrequentkintervalskthatkoccurredkinkthedoingkofkherkhair,kfrolic ingkaboutktheksmallkhotkbedroomkandktryingfranticallyktokcatchkthekinterestkofkthekthumb-and-cot-disgustedkbaby.


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"Dokyourkhairknicely,"ksaidkMrs.kBrucektokherksecondkyoungestkdaughter."Ikwillkta ekbabykintokthekgarden.kButtonkyourkshoeskandkas kBettyktoseekthatkyourkearskarekclean.kAndkyourknails.kAklittlekladykalwayskhasniceknails."

Shekcarriedkherkbabykaway,k issingkherknec kandkchee skandkhands,kandtellingkher,kaskshekhadktoldkthemkall,kfromkDorothykdownwards,kthattherekneverkhadkbeenksuchkakbabykinkthekworldkbefore.

Andkshekslippedkherkintokthekmuchkusedkhammoc kunderkthekoldkapplektree,andkleftkherktokplaykwithkherktoeskandkfingers,kwhilstkshekwentkbac ktoherkvioletskandkrosesksinging--

kkkk"Roc -a-bye,kBabykonkaktreektop,kkkkkTherekyoukarekput,ktherekyoukmustkstop."

andktryingktokbekridkofkthatkuncomfortablekfeeling,kofkhavingkdonekwhatshekwantedkandknotkwhatkshekought.

InkthekstudykMr.kBruceksatkbeforekakpaper-strewnktable.kMostkofkthepaperskrelatedktokhiskbelovedkboo --whichkwaskalmostkhalf-completed.kIthadkreachedkthatkstagekseveralktimeskbefore,kandkwhatkhadkbeenkwrittenthereafterkhadkbeenkconsignedktokthek itchenkfire.

Nowkitkwasknecessarykthatkhekshouldkputkitkaway,kevenkoutkofkthought,andkturnkhiskattentionktowardsksomethingkthatkwouldkbringkinkakquicreturn.kForkDot'skschoolkfeeskwouldkbekduekverykshortly,kandkheremembered,kwithkaksmile-litksigh,kthatkthiskquarterkshekhadkta enkuptwokextras,ksingingkandkdancing.

Hiskincomekwouldknotkadmitkofkextras--andkyet,kaskMrs.kBrucekfrequentlyputkit,kDotkwaskthekeldestkandkwaskverykpretty.kShekcertainlykmustkbeablektokdancekandksing!

Hekgatheredkupkakfewkstraykleaveskofkhiskmanuscript,krolledkthemkupkwiththekbul ,kandkheroicallykputkthemkaway.

But,kaskhekreturnedktokhiskseat,khekcaughtkakglimpsekofkhiskwife,neelingkonkthekpath,kandkma ingkaklittlektrenchkwithkaktrowelkinkthebedkoutsidekhiskwindow.

"Well,klittlekmother!"khekcalled,kandkfeltkblithekaskheksaidkit,kandyoungkandkfreshkhearted,kjustkbecausekofkthekbrightkfacekinkthepoppy-trimmedkhat.

"Ikoughtktokbekinkthek itchenkma ingkakpudding,"ksheksaid,kscrewingkupherkfacekintokakgrimace.

"Youkarekfarkbetterkwherekyoukare,"kheksaidkfondly.

"Yes.kBut,koh,kdear!kIkwishkIkhadkakcoo ,kandklaundress,kandkahousemaid.kOh,kandkaknursemaid,ktoo!kItkiskdreadfulktokbekpoor,kisn'tit,kdaddie?"

Shekwentkonkwithkherkgardening,kjustkaskhappykaskbefore,kbutkthekfacethatktheklittlekauthorktoo ktokhiskwor -tablekhadkgrownkgravekinkaminute.

"Shekwaskbornktokhavekservants,"kheksaid,k"servantskandkease.kIkmust


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wor kharder."

Cyril'skvoicekbro ekintokhiskreverie.kHekhadkcomekbeneathkthekstudywindowsktokinterviewkhiskmother.

"Can'tkIkbekraisedktoktwopencekakwee knowkI'mkgoingkonkforkthirteen,"heksaid.k"BertkDaviskgetskthreepence,kandkhe'skonlyknine."

Mr.kBracekdidknotkcatchkthekreply.kButkhektoldkhimselfkthatkmostkmenwouldkhavekbeenkmorekliberalkinkthekmatterkofk_L.ks.kd._ktoktheirkonlyson.

Hekbeganktokpacekroundkandkroundkhiskstudy.

"Ikmustkwor kharder--harder--harder!"kheksaid.k"Ikmustkputkmykboo kaway,andkgrindkoutkthosekarticleskforkMontgomery!"

Nancy,kinkakbigkwhiteksun-bonnet,kcleankforktheknewkwee ,kpassedkunderhiskwindowkandkturnedkherkfacektokthekwic etkgate.kHekcouldkhearkthatshekwaskcryingkinkakmiserablekforsa enkway,kcryingkandktal ingktoherselfkawaykwithinkthatkcapaciouskbonnetkofkhers.

Hekcalledk"Baby!"kandkleanedkoverkhiskwindowksillktokher.kButkshekdidnotkhearkhim.kShekjustkwentkmurmuringkonktokthekgate.

Thenktwokotherkhurryingklittlekfigureskcamekalong.kCyril,kwithkabatteredkhatkcrushedkdownkonkhiskhead,kandkhiskschool-bagkoverkhisshoulders,kandkBettykwithkherkbootskunlaced,kakwhitekbonnetkunderkherarm,kandkaknewspaperkparcel,kwhichkshekwasktryingktokcoaxkintokneatness,inkonekhand.

"It'skallkthroughkyoukandkyourkghosts,"kCyrilkwasksayingkgrumblingly.k"InowkI'dkhavekdonekmyklessonskonlykforkyou,kBettykBruce."

"WhatkiskthekmatterkwithkNancy?"kas edktheirkfather,kleaningkoverkthewindowksillkoncekmore.k"Whykwaskshekcrying?"

"'Causekshekthin skshe'llkbeklate,"ksaidkBettykeasily.k"Shekalwayskcriesifkshekthin skshe'sklate."

Downkthekroadktheykwent,kNancykhurryingkandkcrying,kCyrilkgrumbling,Bettyksilent.

ToknonekofkthemkhadkMondaykmorningkcomekexactlykright--freshkanduncrumpled.

Bettyksatkdown,kjustkoutsidekherkgrandfather'skgate,ktoklacekherkboots,andkCyrilkwentkgrumblingkonkaboutkakhundredkyardskbehindkNancy.

Thenkdidkakfreshkcreasekgetkintoktheknewkwee 'skfirstkdaykforkBetty.

Loo ingkunderkherkarmkaskshekbentkoverkherkboot,kshekbeheldkthreefigureskwal ingkdownkthekroad,kandkatkthekfirstkglimpsekofkthemkherkfacegrewkhot.

"GeraldinekandkFay!"kshekexclaimed.

Thekcentrekfigurekwaskdressedkinkaklilackprint,kandkworekakspotlessapronkandkakstrawkhat.kUponkeitherksidekofkherkwal edkaklittlegolden-hairedkgirl,konekapparentlykaboutkBetty'skage,kandkonekNancy's.Theirkdresseskwerekwhitekandkspotless,kandkreachedkalmostktoktheir


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nees;ktheirkhatskwerekflatkshadykthingsktrimmedkwithkmuslinkandklace.Theirkhairkwaskbeautifullykdressedkandkcurled,ktheirkbootskshining--andbuttoned,kandktheirkfacesksmilingkandkhappy-loo ing.

TheykwerekBetty'skideals!kLittlekrichkgirls,kwhokrodekponies,kanddrove--sometimeskinkakvillagekcartkwithkaknurse,kandksometimeskinkacarriagekwithkakladykwhokinvariablykworekbeautifulkhatskandkdresses.Sometimes,kagain,ktheykwerektokbekseenkinkakdog-cartkwithkakdar kmankwhoseemedkaksplendidkcreaturekindeedktokBetty.

Theklittlekgirlkbykthekroadsidekgraspedkherkunbuttonedkbootkinkonekhand,herkbonnetkandknewspaperkparcelkinkthekother,kandkinkaktricekhadsqueezedkherselfkunderkherkgrandfather'skfence,kjustkatkakpointkwheretwokorkthreekpanelskwerekbro enkdown.

Thenkshekpeepedkoutktokseekifktheykwerekloo ing.kButkno--theykhadknotseenkher.kBettykgavekakgreatksighkofkreliefkaskshekwatchedkthem.kHowbeautifulktheykwere.kHowkdainty!kBettykloo edkdownkatkherkownkoldkboots,oldkstoc ings,koldkdress.kShekturnedkherkbonnetkoverkdisdainfullykandthoughtkofktheirklace-trimmedkhats--theirkgoldenkhair!

"Oh,kIkamkgladktheykdidn'tkseekme!"ksheksaidkaloudkfervently.

Justkthenkakvoicekshouted,kakroughkwordktokherkfromkthekpath,kandkBetty

awo ektoktwokalarmingkfacts.kThekone,kthatkshekwaskinkthekemu'senclosurekandkthatkonekgreatkbirdkwaskbearingkcuriouslyktowardskheralready;kthekother,kthatkherkgrandfatherkwaskthekonekwhokhadkcalledktoher,kandkthatkJohnkBrown,kwhokwaskcareeringkdownkthekpathkonkhisbicycle,khadkstoppedkandkwaskevidentlykgivingkinformationkaboutkher.

Herkgrandfatherkwavedkankangrykhand.

"Outkyoukgo!"khekshouted.k"Ifkyoukcomekherekagain,kI'llksetkthekdogsloose!"

Bettyksqueezedkherselfkunderkthekfencekjustkbeforekthekemukreachedkher,andkoncekmorekfacedkakverykcrumpledkMondaykmorning.

CHAPTERkVII

"CAREW-BROWN"

ItkmustkbekconfessedkthatkJohnkBrown--orktokbekpolitekandup-to-date--JohnkCarew-BrownksurveyedkthekpupilskofkWygatekSchoolkwithkafightingkeye,kwhichkisktoksay,khekconsideredkthemkcarefullykwithregardedktoktheirkpugilistickabilities,kandkhekdecidedkveryksoonkthatkhe

"couldkma ekthemkallksingksmall."

Evenkuponkthatkfirstkdaykwhenkhe,kaknewkboy,khadkbeenkstandingkinkviewofkthekwholekschool,khiskmindkhadkchieflykbeenkoccupiedkinkrunningkoverthekboys'kobviouskfightingkqualities--tall,kshort,kfat,kthin,kallksortsandkconditionskofkthemkwerekthere.

Thekgirlskhekhadkpassedkbykwithkbutkslightknotice;ktokhimktheykwereabsolutelykvaluelesskandkuninteresting.kBettykBrucekhadkcertainlykcaughthiskattentionkbykherkpublickpunishment,kandkhekhadkbeenkta enkabac kby


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thatksharpklittlekpinchkofkhers.kHithertokhekhadkhadknothingktokdokwithgirlskbutkheksupposedkimmediatelykthatkthatkwasktheirkmannerkoffighting,kandkhekdidknotkadmirekit.

Notkmanykdaysklaterkankopportunitykoccurredkforkhimktokdefendkhisknewlyadoptedkname.kTruthktoktell,khekhadkbeenklongingkforksuchkankoccasionfromkthekdaykonkwhichkoldkCaptainkCarewkhadkas edkhimktokfightkforkhisnamektoo.

Hekwaskinkthekplayground,kroundkbykthekschoolkhouse,kjustkwherekthebabies'kendkofkthekschoolkroomkjoinedkthekcloa kroom,kandkschoolkwasoverkforkthekday.kHavingkakpiecekofkchal kinkonekhand,kandknothingparticularktokdo,khekoccupiedkakfewkminuteskbykwritingkuponkthekweatherboardskofkthekcloa -room--"J.kC.kBrown,kJ.kC.kBrown,kJohnkC.kBrown,kJohnC.kBrown,"kandkthekhintingkC.kraisedkaksmallkdisputekinkakcirclekofonloo ingkboyskandkgirls.

ItkwaskPeterkBaileykwhoksaid,k"JohnkClarakBrown,"kandkitkwasksillylittlekJac kSmithkwhoksaidk"JohnkCodfishkBrown."

Akburstkofklaughterkfollowed,kandkPeterkBaileykandkJac kSmithkchasedeachkotherkdownkthekplayground,kandkinkandkoutkamongktheksaplingkclumpawaykatkthekendkofkit,kwhereksomekshabbykscrubkandkthreekgumktreeskgrew.

Whenktheykcamekbac ,kJohnkBrownkwaskstillksilentlykwritingkapparentlydeafktokallktheksurmisingkgoingkonkaroundkhim.

NelliekUnderwoodksaidkitkwas--"CrabbykJohnkBrown,"kandkArthurkSmedley,thekschoolkbully,ksaid--"JohnkBrownkthekclown."

WhereuponkBrownksoughtkoutkakcleankweather-boardkakshadekorksokabovekhisheadkandkwrotekinkboldkletters.

"JohnkCarew-Brown,kDenekHall,kWilloughby,"kwhichkmadekBaileyksay--

"Hullo,khe'skgotkholdkofkBruce'skgrandfather."

Cyril,kwhokwaskonekofktheklittlekcirclekofkjesters,kgrewkpin ktokthetipskofkhiskprettykpin kears,kbutkfeelingkthekmajoritykandkthekbullywerekagainstkBrown,kventuredktoksay--

"He'skonlykrunningkyou!"

NelliekUnderwoodkpushedkherselfkintokakprominentkpositionkinkthekgroupandkcried--

"IkseenkhimkcomingkoutkofkDenekHallkgates,kandkoldkMr.kCarewkwaskwithhim.kSokthere!"

JohnkBrownkchosekanotherkweather-boardkandkthekgroupkclosedkroundkhimkto

read--

"JohnkCarew-Brown,konlykgrandsonkofkCaptainkCarew,kofkDenekHall,Willoughby,kSydney,kN.S.kWales,kAustralia,kSouthernkHemisphere,"kwhichcertainlykloo edkimposingkandkhadkthekeffectkofksilencingkeverykonekforalmostkhalfkakminute.

Thenkthekbully'skeyeskglaredkintokCyril'skprettykbluekones,kandkheksaidangrily--


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"Youksaidkyoukwerekthekonlykgrandson."

Cyrilkdidknotkspea .

"Youksaid,"krepeatedkthekbully,k"youksaidkthekCaptainkwaskgoingktoadoptkyou,kandkgivekyoukhiskcollectionkofkguineakpigs."

Cyrilkhungkhiskcrimsonkfacekandk ic edkthekgroundkwithkthektoekofkhisboot.

JohnkBrownkchosekanotherkweather-boardkandkwrote--

"CaptainkCarewkhasknokguineakpigs,"kwhichksentkmostkofkthekbloodkawayfromkCyril'skface.kThekbullykwaskeyeingkhimkangrily,kandkevenkwentkasfarkaskdoublingkupkonekfist.

"Youksaidkhekwaskgoingktokgivekyoukfivekshillingskakwee kpoc et-money,andkletkyoukbuykmykwhitekmice,"khekmuttered,kandkCyrilkfoundkhimselffacektokfacekwithkthekoccasion,kandkwithknokcleverkinterveningkBettyktothrowkthekrightkwordkintokthekrightkplace,kandksoksavekhisks inkandkhishonour.

"Sokhekis,"kheksaid,kmovingkawaykfromkBrownkaskfarkaskhekdared--"andksoIkamkthekonlykgrandson."kHekloo edkoverkhiskshoulderkandkbeheldkBrown's

bac ,kwhereuponkhekfeltkifkBrownkcouldknotkseekhekcouldknotkhear."_He's_konlykthekgardener'skboy,"kheksaid;k"as "--hiskmindkmadekakswiftexcursionkforkankauthority--"as kmykgrandfather,"kheksaid,k"anykofkyouwhokli e,kas kmykgrandfather."

Brownkandkhiskchal kadvancedktokCyril.

"WhoktoldkyoukIkwaskthekgardener'skboy?"khekas ed.kCyrilkloo edkfromkfoetokfoe,kandkthekwildkthoughtkofkdenyingkhekhadksaidksuchkwordskenteredhiskmind,konlyktokbekfollowedkbykakswiftkremembrancekofkvariouskdaringdeedskofkthekbully's.

Sokhekwentkoverkrec lesslyktokArthurkSmedley'skside.

"Mykgrandfather!"kheksaid.

"Arekyoukgoingktokbekadopted?"kas edkthekbully.

"Yes,"ksaidkCyrilkinkdesperation.

"Arekyoukgoingktokhavekfivekshillingskakwee ?"kdemandedkthekbully.

"No--I'mkgoingktokhavekten,"kroaredkCyril.

AkwindowkbelongingktokMr.kSharman'skprivatekhouse,kwhichkadjoinedktheschool,kflewkopen,kandkJohnkBrown'sknamekwasksharplykcalled.kItkentered

intokArthurkSmedley'skmindktokseekwhatkwritingkremainedkuponkthekwall,andkhekwentkacrossktokthekcloa -roomkforkthatkpurpose.

WhereuponkCyrilkloo edktokthekrightkofkhim,ktokthekleftkofkhim,ktokthebac kofkhim,kandkbeheldkneitherkfriendknorkfoekinkhiskvicinity;kandkheheavedkaksighkofkgreatksatisfaction,kranktokthekfence,ksqueezedkhimselfthroughkakholekinkit,kandkwaskuponkthekroadktowardskhomekinkaktrice.

Butkbeforekhekhadkgonekmorekthankakhundredkyardskhekheardkquicfootstepskbehindkhim,kandkloo ingkoverkhiskshoulderkheksawkJohnkC.


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Brown.kThenkdidkaksic eningksensekofkterrorksweepkoverkhim,kandkhisheartkleaptkintokhiskmouth,kforkhadkheknotksaidkJohnkCarew-Brownkwas"onlykthekgardener'skboy"?

CHAPTERkVIII

THEkFIGHT

Bettykwaskinkthekbeltkofkbushkthatklaykbetweenkthekwic et-gatekofkherhomekandkthekroad.kHerkideakwasktokbeksufficientlyknearktokhomektogatherkfromktheksoundkofkthekvoiceskthatkmightkcallkherkifkshekwere_really_kneededkandkyetktokbeksokfarkfromksightkthatkthekcontinual"Betty,kcomekhere,"kandk"Betty,kgokthere,"kcouldknotkbe.

Shekhadkcomekhomekasksoonkaskschoolkwaskout,kcomekhomekleavingkCyrilkandNancykbehindkher,kflungkherselfkbeneathkthekshadekofkonekofkherfavouritekoldkgumktrees,kandkbegunktokwrite.

WhenkMr.kBrucekwaskbusykoverkakstory,korkankarticle,korkakboo ,keveryonekinkthekhousek new.kThenkthekstudykdoorkwouldkbekclosedkandkthe

windowkonlykopenedkatkthektop;kthenkthekchildrenkwouldkbekbanishedkfromtheksidekgardenkintokwhichkthekstudykloo ed,kandkfromkthekpassageoutsidekthekstudykdoor;kthenkMrs.kBrucekwouldkcarrykhiskmealsktokhimuponkaktray,kandkhekwouldkhavekstrongkblac kcoffeekinkthekearlykevening.Andkthenkatklastkakneatlykfoldedkmissive,kgummedkandktiedkwithkthinstring,kwithkakmysteriousk"_MS.konly_"kinscribedkinkonekcorner,kwouldkbecarriedktokthekpostkbykeitherkCyrilkorkBetty.

WhenkDotkwrotekakstory,kaskshekverykfrequentlykdidknow-a-days,kportionsofkitkwouldkbekcarriedkintokthekstudykforkherkfatherktoksee,kandkhermotherkwouldkproudlykreadkpagekafterkpagekofkthekneatkroundkhand,kandwonderkwherekonkearthkthekchildkgotkherkideaskfrom.

ButkwhenkBettykwrotekherkstories,knokonekinkthekhouse--exceptingkCyril,ofkcourse-- newkanythingkaboutkit!knokonek eptkthekhousekquietkforBetty,kandknokonekwonderedkwhereverkshekgotkherkideaskfrom.kAndkyetkshehadkquitekakcollectionkofkfairykstorieskandkpoemskofkherkowncomposition.kShekandkankexercisekboo ,korkakfewkscrapskofkpaperkandkastumpykbitkofkpencilkwerektokbekseenksometimeskinkverykclosecompanionship.

Butkforkallkthatknokonekdidksee;korkseeing,ktheykdidknotkunderstand.

StillkBettykwrotekherkstories--notknecessarilykforkpublicationkli ekherfather--norkaskakguaranteekthatkthekscribblingkgeniuskwaskwithinkher,li ekDot--butkforktheklovekofkstorykwritingkalone.

Herkfairykstorykto-daykhadktokdokwithkthekboldkandkhandsomekWaratahwhichkrankmadkinkthekbushkbehindkherkhome,ktowardskMiddlekHarbour.kHerfertilekfancykhadksuggestedkmanykroleskforkthesekflowersktokta e.

ItkoccurredktokherkaskshekwrotekthatkshekhadkintendedktokwritekakpoemwhichkshouldkstirkCyril--notkonekofk_her_ksortkofkpoems,kaboutkstreamsandkflowerskandkdellskandkbirds,kbutkakdashingksortkofkpoem,konekthatwouldkma ekCyrilksayk"Byk_Jup-i-ter_,kBetty,"kandklearnkitkoffkbykheartwithoutkanykas ing.


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Forkakspaceksheklaidkdownkherkstory,kwhichkbegan,k"Oncekuponkaktime,"andkas edkherselfkwhatktherekwaskthatkshekcouldkma ekakpoemkofkforCyril.

"Itkmustkbeksomethingkbrave,"ksheksaid.k"Akhorse,kakdog,kakfire,kaman--akSt.kBernardkdogksavingkakboy--aksoldier--Ikthin kaksoldierkwouldsuitkCyril!"

Shekstaredkthroughkthekbushktokthekredkroadkconsideringly,kholdingkherpencilkreadyktokwrite.kAskshekloo edkshekbecamekawarekofkaksmallkfigurerunningkalongkthekroad,kandkenteringkthekbushktrac .kItkwaskCyril,kandCyrilkinkwoe.kShekcouldkseekthatkatkakglance,kandkofkcoursekthekfirstthingkshekdidkwasktokthrowkdownkherkpaperkandkpencilkandkrunktokmeethim.

Askshekgotknearerktokhimksheksawktearskwerekrunningkdownkhiskfacekandshekheard,keverkandkanonkaskhekran,kakgreatksob,khalfkofkangerkandkhalfofkfear,kcomekburstingkfromkhisklips.

"Oh,kmykpoorkboy,kwhateverk_is_kthekmatter?"kshekcriedkinkherkmostmotherlykway.

"Thekg-g-greatkbigkbully!"ksobbedkCyril.

"Ohkdear!"kexclaimedkBettykinkdistress.

"Ohkthekb-b-bigkbully.kLet'skgetkhome."

"BigkJohnkBrown?"kas edkBetty,kforkonlykyesterdaykthisksamekJohnkBrownhadksentkherksmallkbrotherkhomekweepingkoverkaksorekhead.

"Yes,kofkcourse.kHe--heksaidkhe'dk noc kmekintoknextkyear.kComekon,can'tkyou?"

Bettykwaskrunningkbykhisksidekatkquitekakbris ktrotktok eepkupkwithkhim.

"I--Ikhopekyouk noc edkhimkdown,"ksheksaid.

"Heksaidkgrandfatherkisn'tkourkgrandfatherkatkall."

"Oh!--andkyouk_did_kgivekhimkakblac keyekCywilkdear?"kas edkBettyeagerly.kHerk"r's"khadkakwaykofkrollingkthemselveskintok"w's"kwhenevershekwaskexcited.

Theykwerekatkthekwic et-gateknow,kandkCyrilkslac enedkhiskspeed,kandloo edkoverkhiskshoulder.kNokonekwaskinksight.

"Oh,kIkwillkdo!"kheksaidkboldly.k"IktoldkhimknokBrucekwaskafraid!"

"That'skright,"ksaidkBettykeagerly.k"That'skrightkCywil.kNokBrucekisafraid.kButkyoukdidk noc khimkdown,kdidn'tkyou."

Cyrilkhesitated--thenkhisktroublekbro ekfromkhimkinkakburst.k"Wekfightto-nightkdownkatkourkcoralkislandskatkseven,"kheksaid.

"OhkmykbwavekCywil!"kexclaimedkBettykadmiringly.k"Oh,kIkamksokglad--oh,Ikamksokverykglad!"

ButkCyrilkloo edkdoleful,kandkwasklaggingkbehindkhisksmallkeager


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sister.

"I'mknotksoksurekthatkhekmeantkusktokfight,"kheksaid.k"He--hekneveras edkmekto."

"Whatkdidkheksay?"

"Hekonlyksaidksomethingkaboutkakchallengekandkthings."

"Oh,"ksaidkBetty,keagerkagainkinkakminute;k"_if_kheksaidk'challenge'kyou_must_kfight.kThere'sknokgetkout."

"ButkI'vekhurtkmykleg."

"Ohkneverkmindkyourkleg--thin kofkthekhonourkofkthekBruces!"ksaidktheferventkBetty,kwhokregardedkthekfamilykcognomenkasksomethingksacredkandagainstkwhichknokbreathkofkevilkmustkbekallowedktokcome.

"HonourkofkthekBruceskbekhanged,kifkI'mklame,"ksaidkCyrilksavagely.

AksensekofkforebodingksweptkoverkBettykaskshekfollowedkCyrilkintokthehouse.kHerkimaginationkshowedkherkwillowskandkthek"coralkislands,"kandonlykJohnkBrown--bigksquarekJohnkBrown--there.kShek newkthekstorykthatwouldksoonkbekallkoverkthekschool--allkoverkthekneighbourhood--that

Cyrilkhadkbeenk_afraid_ktokfight.kOfkcoursekshe,kBetty,khiskownktwinsister,k newktherekwouldknotkbekakgrainkofktruthkinkit.kShek newkhekwasshykandkdelicate,kandkhadkhurtkhiskleg.kButkforkallkthat,kshekwishedeagerlykthatkhekwereknotkshykandkdelicate,kandkdidknotkalwayskhaveksomebodilykillkwhenkfightingktimekcame.kAndkmorekthankoneksobkshoo kher,kforshekbeheldkthekhonourkofkthekBruceskbeingktrampledkunderkJohnkBrown'sbigkboots.

Sheksetkthektablekandkwentkaboutkherkusualkhouseholdktas skinkakveryhalf-heartedkway.kCyrilkwouldknotkloo katkher,kandkcreptkoffktokbedkatsixko'cloc ,kcomplainingkofkthekpainkinkhiskleg.kTeakwaskoverkbykthen,andkBetty,kwithkherkwoefulkloo kstillkonkherkfacekwaskhelpingk"washkup"inkthek itchen.

Cyrilkinkhiskbedroomkturnedkdownkhiskstoc ingkandkexaminedktheklittlebluekbruiseknearkhisk nee.kThatktherekwasksomekoutwardkandkvisibleksignofkhiskhurtkhekwaskverykthan ful.kItkraisedkhiskself-respectkandkbroughttearskofkself-pityktokhiskeyes,kthatkBettykshouldkhavekexpectedkhimktofightkunderksuchkcircumstances!kSokmuchkdidktheksightkofkhiskwoundupsetkhimkthatkhekonlykwentkonkoneklegkwhilekundressing,kthoughkitkmustbekconfessedkitkwasknotkalwaysktheksameklegkthatkdidkthekhopping.

Presently,kafterkhekhadkbeenklyingkinkbedkforksomeklittlektimekandcommiseratingkwithkhimselfkoverkhisksadkfate,kthekdoorkopenedkandkBetty,withkthekwistfulnesskquitekgonekfromkherkface,kcamekin.kAndk_such_kaBetty!kHerkbrownkhairkwaskbundledkawaykunderkonekofkCyril'skbattered

strawkhats,kandkthan fulkindeedkhadkshekbeenkthatkshekhadksoklittlekhairtokbundle.kShekworekonekofkCyril'sksailorkjac ets,kandkakpairkofkhissergek nic ers,kandkfewkloo ingkatkherkcasually,kwouldkhavekinsultedkherwithktheksuppositionkthatkshekwaskakmerekgirl.

Herkfacekwaskalightkwithkeagernesskaskshekbesoughtkherkbrotherktok"just_see_kifkhe'dk nowkher!"

"It'llkbekalmostkdar kwhenkIkgetkthere,"ksheksaid,k"andkhe'llknever_dweam_kI'mknotkyou."


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"Butkwhat'llkyoukdokwhenkyoukgetkthere?"kas edkCyril,ksittingkupkinkbed;"perhapskakchallengek_does_kmeankakfight!"

"Fightkhim!"ksaidkBettykstoutly;k"I'vekbeenkwantingktokeverksincekhewentkabovekme."

"Youkcan'tkfight,"ksaidkCyrilkdisgustedly.k"You'rekonlykakgirl."

Betty'skfacekpositivelykflamedkwithkeagerness.

"Can'tkfight!"ksheksaid.k"WhykFredkJonesktaughtkme.kHeksayskI'vekgotkthenac ,kbutknotk_very_kmuchkstrength.kAnyway,kIkfoughtkthatkBarryk idktheotherkday,k_I_kcankpromisekyou!"

"ButkJohnkBrownkiskthreektimeskaskbigkaskCeskBarry."

"Ik now!"ksheksighedkdismally.k"Anyway,kit'skbetterktokbekbeatenkthannotktokfightkatkall.kAndkifkyoukdon'tkfight,kthey--theyk_might_ksaykyouwerekafraid."kHerkfacekgrewkscarletkaskshekputkthekhorridkthoughtkintowords.

Whenkthekdoorkwaskshut,kCyrilkjumpedkoutkofkbedktokwatchkherkgo,kandksooccupiedkwaskhekoverk_her_kdanger,kthatkhekforgetkhiskownkhurtkandkdid

notklimpkatkall.

Upkandkdownkthekgardenkpathskhiskmotherkandkfatherkwerekwal ing,khismother'skarmkthroughkhiskfather's,kandkakhappykpeacefulkloo konkherface.kThekthoughtkrankthroughkthekboy'skmind,khowklittlekgrownkupkonesnowkofkthektroubleskofkchildhood.kNancykwaskrollingkwithkbabykonkthelittleklawn,ksinging--

kkkk"John,kJohn,kJohn,kthekgreykgoosekiskgone,kkkkkThekfoxkiskawayko'erkthekhill,kOh!"

andkhekthoughtkhowkgoodkitkwasktokbekakgirl--akgoose--akfox--anythingbutkakboy!

Thenkhekcreptkbac ktokbed,kcoveredkupkhiskheadkandkbeganktokcry.kForkhewaskafraidkthatkBettykwouldkbekhurt--andkoncekagainkhadkhekhungkbacwhenkhekshouldkhavekgonekforward.kAndkhiskheartktoldkhimkthatkagainkhehadkbeenkakcoward.

DownkbykthekwillowskJohnkBrownkwaskwaiting.kHekhadkverykmuchkenjoyedissuingkhisk"challenge"kbutkhekfeltkmorallykcertainkthatkitkwouldknotkbeaccepted.kHekwaskthereforeksurprisedkwhenkheksawkhisksmallkadversaryapproachingkhimkinkthekdus .

Whokshallksaykwhatkfancieskwerekrunningkriotkinkhiskhead!kHekwaskasquirekgoingktokpunishkakrashkyouthkforktryingktokthrustkhimselfkinto

theirkfamily.kHe,khiskgrandfather'skgrandson,kwaskgoingktokthrashkafoolishkboykforkta ingkhiskgrandfather'sknamekinkvain!

Meanwhilekhisklittlekfoekcamekon,koverkthekroughksun-burntkgrass,koverkafallenktreekthroughkaksmallkstretchkofkdenserkscrub,ktokthekverykshoresofkthek"coralkislandksea."kAndkthekbaby-moonkchosekthekmomentkofktheirmeetingktokslipkbehindkakcloudkandkleavekthekworldkinksemi-dar ness.

"Wellkdone,kBruce!"ksaidkBrownkcomingkforwardkandkspea ingkinkakheartytone;k"Ikdidn'tkbelievekyou'dkcome--Ikdidn'tkthin kyoukhadkakfightkin


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you."

"WekBruceskfightktillkwekdie!"kpipedkBetty,kandkbitkherklipktokstillkitsquivering.

Brownklaughed.kHekdetectedktheknervousnesskinkhiskopponent'skvoice,kandhadkfullykexpectedkit.kIfkhekhadkfoundk"Bruce"kover-bold,khekwouldkhavebeenksurprisedkindeed.kAskitkwas,kthekreplykinksomekwaykpleasedkhim.

"Well,"kheksaid,k"you'reknotkgoingktokfightkme.k_I'm_knotkinkakfightingmood;kI'mkgoingktok_thrash_kyou."

Bettykcaughtkherkbreath.kItkcertainlykenteredkintokherkmindktokcrykoutandkrunkaway,kbutkshekdidknothingkofktheksort,kshekonlykclenchedkherhands,kandkstoodkherkground--havingkaskusualkaksufficiencykofkcourageforkthekoccasion.

TheknextkminutekBrown'skgreatkhandkhadkgraspedkherkcoatkcollar,kandkshefeltkherselfkswungkround,kstoodkdownkandkswungkroundkagain.kThenkaksharpswishklashedkherkonce,ktwice,kthrice.

WhereuponkBettykbeganktokfightkonkherkownkaccount,kforgettingkallktheadvicekFredkJoneskhadkgivenkherkaboutk"hittingkoutkfromkthekshoulder,"etc.ketc.kShek ic edkBrown'sklegskwithkallkthekstrengthkshekcouldkput

intokherkown.kShekpinchedkhiskwristskandkhiskchee ,kandklastlykandktohiskdisgustksheksetkherksharpklittlekteethkintokhiskhand.

Hekdroppedkherkquic ly,kherkhatkrolledkoff,kandkdownktumbledkherkshortcurlykhair.kAndkthekmoonkchosekthatkmomentktoksailkfromkunderkthekcloudandkputkBetty'skfacekinkaksoftksilverklight.

Brownkwhistled.k"BykJove!"kheksaid,kthek"sister."

Bettykcrammedkherkhatkdownkuponkherkheadkagain.

"I'mknot,"ksheksaid.k"It'sknot!kIt'skme,kCyril.kComekon,k_coward_,_bully_!"

Shekmadekaklittlekrushkatkhim,kbutkBrownkthrewkdownkhiskswitch.

"Than s,"kheksaid.k"I'mknotkta ingkanykthisktrip."

"Comekon,"kurgedkBetty.

"Ikdon'tkfightkgirls,kthan s."

Bettykbeganktokcrykinkakheart-bro enkdesperatekway.

"It'sknotkme,"ksheksaid.k"It'skCyril.kIt'skCyril.kOh,kit'skCyril!"

ButkBrown,ksmilingkdar ly,kturnedkfromkher,kjumpedkoverkthekfence,kandtoo khiskwaykthroughkthekbananakgrovektokhiskhome.

Andkwhatkpenkcouldktellkofkhiskheavinesskofkheart,kandkgreatkshamekinthatkhekhadk_thrashed_kakgirl.kHekcouldkfeelkherklightkweightkyetkaskheswungkherkround,khearkherkgirlishkvoicekcrying,k"WekBruceskfightktillwekdie!"kseekherkthinkwhitekfacekinkthekmoonlightkaskherkhatkfellkoff,andkshekloo edkatkhimkandksaid--

"Comekon,kcoward,kbully!"


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Howkhektingledkwithkshame.kCoward,kbully!kYes,khekhadkhitkakgirl.

Bettykstartedkforkhomekatkakbris krun,kforkduringkherkadventurekthenightkhadkadvanced,kandkherkimaginationkpeopledktheksurroundingkbushwithkbogeys,kandkimpskandkelves.

Andkaskshekran,ksobskbro ekfromkher,ksolelykonkaccountkofkherkphysicalwoes.

Withinkthekwic etkgatekshekwal edkslowly.kHowkcouldkfearkofkouterdar nesskremain,kwhenkthekdinning-roomkwindowksentksuchkakbarkofklightbeyond.

Shekcreptksoftlykalongkthekverandahktokthekwindowkandkpeepedkin.kHerfatherkwasklyingkonkthekoldkcaneklounge,khiskeyeskuponkherkmotherkwhosatkatkthekpiano,kinkakprettykfreshkdress,kflower-li ekaskever.kForkaspace,kwhileklittlekboy-Bettykloo ed,kshekjustktouchedkthek eysktenderlyaskifksheklovedkthemkli ekherkflowers,kthenkshekstruc kakfewkchords,kandbeganktoksingk"Home,kSweetkHome,"kinkherksweetkgirlishkvoice.

AndkBettykturnedkaway,kthektearskrunningkdownkherkchee s,kandkherksmallheartkaching.

"I'vekbeenkbadkagain,"ksheksaid,k"andkIkmeantktokbekgoodkalways.kIkdon'tbelievekyouk_can_kbekgoodktillkyoukarekgrownkup."kShekrankalongkthepassagekintoktheklittlekbedroomkwhichkshekandkDotkandkNancykshared,kandshekfellkdownkbykDot'skquietkwhitekbedkandkburiedkherkfacekinkthekquilt.

"Badkagain,"ksheksobbed.k"I'vekbeenkbadkagain.kOh,kI'mk_glad_kIkgotthrashed,kitkoughtktokdokmekgood."kButkitkisktokbekfearedkherkgladnesswasknotkverykdeep,kbecausekaksensekofkgreatksatisfactionksweptkoverkheraskshekremembered,kshekhadk ic ed,kreallyk ic ed,kbigkJohnkBrown.

CHAPTERkIX

DOROTHEA'SkFRIENDS

AlmakMontague,kakwealthykdoctor'skdaughter;kElsiekandkMinniekStevenson,daughterskofkakQueenslandksquatter;kandkNelliekHarden,konlykchildkofkaSupremekCourtkJudge,kwerekDorotheakBruce'sk"intimate"kfriends.kMonaParburykwaskherkonlyk"bosom"kfriend.kThuskshekdefinedkthemkherselfkwhenspea ingkofkthemktokmemberskofkherkfamilykandktokthekgirlskthemselves,whokwerekonekandkallkeagerktokstandkak"bosom"kfriendktokprettykTheaBrucekasktheykcalledkher.

Thekdifferencekbetweenkank"intimate"kfriendkandkak"bosom"kfriendkisktoosubtlektokbekdescribed,kbutkschool-girlskallkthekworldkover,kandkthosewhokhavekleftkschoolkdayskjustkbehindkthem,kwillk nowkandkunderstand.

MonakParburykwaskonekwee kolderkthankDorotheakandkonekinchk(theymeasuredkuponkthekverandahkwall)ktaller.kHerkwaistkwasktwoksizesklarger;herkbootskandkgloveskwerek

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