"No, don't. I hate garden-parties."
"It's to be a very fashionable affair, and the Government House party will be there."
"That settles the matter then. We stay away," said Hil, decisively.
When the girls returned to Sydney they found Goody still at the "Grosvenor," seemingly quite happy. At first he had been feeble and despondent, but he knew a large number of people, whose visits kept him from brooding and, on his daughter's return, she found him quite a Society man in his old-fashioned way. Hil asked him to come out to Blue Gums, but he preferred the hotel, so both she and May left him there, perfectly content. Hil found an accumulation of letters and invitations waiting her arrival. Callers were numerous, who made curious enquiries about their long absence, but their curiosity was unsatisfied, and it was generally assumed that Hil had been on a visit to one of her stations.
"Two gentlemen are below, and wish to see you, miss," said the maid, entering the room when the girls were engaged in bemoaning their lot.
"Did they give their names?"
"No. I asked, but they said it did not matter."
"Shew them up." Then, turning to May, she said, "I don't mind betting they're the boys."
"Good-morning, Miss Goodchild," said both Hal and Reg, advancing to May.
"Good-morning, gentlemen. This is my cousin."