She could not haveborne Richards sarcastic comments
on Agness poor spelling and poorerpenmanship. Impatiently she shook her head and
turned to listen to voices in thepassage. No, thetruth is, shes just too pretty to
be of the least practical use.
Insensitive to Mahonys attitude, he ran on. For
Tillys gloss on the affair ran: PURD HEARDFROM A MAN WHO WAS ON BOARD THE SAME
SHIP.
How she did wish she had somebody to
talkto!
Papa was verypolite to them, and said Good morning!
They were those of Richard and a patient; but chieflyRichards.
He set off on his morning round, following the path
that ran alongsidethe Lagoon.
Mamma came out of the dining-room, a needle in one
hand, a long threadof cotton in the other. For he had carried his talkative fit over
to strangers aswell . Mahonys impatient Why on earth didnt you send for me
sooner?
She changes her underclothing every day of the
week. They didnt take their pipes out; and some ofthem looked as if they thought
Papa was funny .
Henry; and opening it in some trepidationMary read
the sad news of Agness death.
If Emmy cant look after her own little
cousins.
I thinkfirst her fathers death, and then Jackys
have thoroughly spoiledher.
For when in one of his really blackmoods, he seemed
to retire where words could not get at him.
Or had he, in burying himself in this wildbush,
committed the crowning folly of his life? Trees and bushes, jet-blackon one side,
were white as if with hoar frost on the other.
To the fewfeelers she threw out, he declared
himself exaggeratedly well content.