“Ha! ha!” laughed the squire, “you’re getting worse and worse, that’s exactly what the great Duke said,—but I’ll tell you the story.
“Some time after the Battle of Waterloo, Wellington’s health happened to be proposed at a great dinner at which he was present, and at which there happened to be also a number of French officers. These stood up, but on hearing who the individual was that was about to be pledged, immediately faced round and turned their backs towards the Duke, who simply remarked, as he sat at the table, ‘Not the first time, gentlemen, that you have turned your backs upon me.’
“I want no more arguments,” concluded Bell, “but the less I see of this hair-dresser, the better I shall be pleased.”
So Monsieur Rayon, such was the Frenchman’s name, was duly installed at the Creek, making himself agreeable to the ladies, and, whilst showing an equal civility to the squire, avoiding him as much as possible, explaining to Mrs. Bell that it was natural her husband took no notice of him, as he disliked the French language. Matters, however, went on smoothly enough, Rayon giving lessons to mother and daughter, and rendering himself tolerable to the squire, by insisting upon every one speaking English when he was present, a language which seemed as facile to him as French.
After Rayon had been settled a few days at Bulinda Creek, Mat happened to return late one evening to the station, and discovered the squire smoking a cigar with the Frenchman.
The latter, as it turned out, had brought some full-flavoured “Havannahs” with him. Now, if Bell had one weakness, it was a good cigar; so that in spite of his dislike to the foreigner, he felt bound in honour, as he explained to the members of his family, to smoke with him, when these were produced.
Mat had never seen Rayon till now, and on this occasion it was too dark to see his features distinctly. On reaching the verandah he was introduced to him, when the foreigner made him a profound bow, and said how proud he was to make the acquaintance of such a “voyageur,” as all Australia was ringing with his name; which flowery speech Mat received with a slight bow, and addressing himself to the squire, the two were soon deep in matters connected with the out-station, which they discussed until it was time to turn in.
Next day, Mrs. Bell seeing Mat at the station, accosted him with,—
“I’m so glad to see you, Mat; now you’ll stop and ’av a lesson.”
“No, I’m sorry I can’t,” he replied. “I only came in for the two horses ‘Wallaby’ and ‘Timeringle,’ and Tom must have them to-night; but I’ll be back again soon, and stay a few days.”