“You’ve only just arrived, I hear, Mr Denham,” she began. “Well, I’m not going to ask you what you think of this country, because you haven’t had time to form an opinion.”
“I like what I’ve seen of it,” he answered. “Ezulwini seems a delightful spot.”
“Mr Denham collects butterflies and beetles, and all sorts of things,” struck in Mrs Shelford. “I came upon him this morning with a horrid leggy thing he’d just caught. What was it, Mr Denham? A praying—praying—something?”
“Amantis.”
“Yes. He’ll be catching snails next.”
“Shouldn’t wonder, Mrs Shelford. I’m keen on capturing the skin of the indhlondhlo.”
“He’s jolly rare,” said Ben Halse, with a twinkle in his eyes. “We might find one up my way, but it isn’t certain.”
“What did you call that snake, Mr Denham?” said Verna.
He repeated the word. Then, as something struck him—
“Now that’s not fair, Miss Halse. Remember I’ve only been in the country a few days.”