"Well, I heard the same tale, yesterday, about old Brown and the ants," said Hil.
"You did?"
"Yes, and I fancy I can recognise you two in the story I heard, since you say you came as tramps."
"I don't understand," said Hal, looking at her in astonishment.
"I'll tell it you as it was told to me, then. It appears Joe Brown recognised in the two tramps the two men who had driven by in a buggy and he passed it round the camp, and while you two were acting as tramps everyone was laughing at you."
"Miss Mannahill, where did you hear that?" called out Hal, thunderstruck.
"That's not all," continued Hil, imperturbably. "We heard about you in Brisbane, and how you were good enough to discuss May and myself in a public saloon."
Hal looked at Reg in astonishment, and unable to say a word.
"Can you deny saying that, from all accounts, that cousin of May Goodchild's was a bit of a star?" asked Hil.
"And that I was a jolly girl?" struck in May, both of them now laughing heartily at the nonplussed appearance of the two men.