"Perish the thought!"
"And I do know all about it—within our small circle, every married person is the exact contrast to their partner. You will soon be able to judge for yourself—as for Teddy Dawson—we are all christian names up here——"
"May I call you by yours?" asked Mayne audaciously.
"In a few days—perhaps——"
"Thank you; and you were speaking about Teddy Dawson?"
"So I was; he is so practical and hard-working, and loves coffee-planting, but is rather rough and untidy. If you had only seen 'The Corner' before Nicky arrived! The Bungalow was crammed with sacks of coffee, tins of kerosine, and packs of dogs—scarcely a chair to sit on. Ah! here is father at last!"
As Travers dismounted from a shaggy estate pony, and approached, Mayne realized that he was undeniably handsome; dark, with finely cut features, and noble bearing; the gallant air, that descends in certain families, from generation to generation.
"Too hot for the steps, Nance!" he said, laying his hand on her head, "and no topee! Away with you into the verandah." But Nancy merely lifted a slender arm to thrust back a hair-pin. "How are you, Mayne? I heard all about you this morning."
"All, sir? That's rather a large order; but I gather that you have had a letter from Fletcher?"
"Yes, poor old boy, I'm afraid he is in a bad way. He is anxious you should have good sport. I believe I can manage a big beat next week, and I've arranged to draw a small sholah this afternoon." (A sholah is a deep fold in the hills indicated by trees and undergrowth). "We may get a jungle sheep, or a pig."