“Fact is,” he said. “I thought I had done with ‘new chums,’ but a letter I received some time ago reminded me of a promise I once made to an old friend at home, that I would take his son on my station. He says it’s his only son, who will enter into no profession, loves horses, and can ‘rough it’ to any extent. I know what that means by experience,” growled Bell. “Anyhow he comes—‘The Honourable Lionel Fulrake;’ the ship was in a week ago. We will do our best to welcome him anyhow, and we shall soon see how he ‘shapes.’”
A few hours after this conversation, Mat was in his room tidying up his things, arranging his “manavlins,” as Tom dubbed his odds and ends, when the sound of wheels caught his ear; so he stole round the building to see who had arrived.
A buggy and pair of horses, driven by a coachman in livery, was just pulling up at the verandah. The vehicle was laden, or rather piled up, with every conceivable description of luggage: portmanteaux, hatboxes, guns, fishing-rods, a tent, and, perched on the top of all, an enormous canteen.
Presently, a young man could be seen clearing out of these impedimenta, and descending the vehicle. “What a swell!” thought Mat; and the new arrival certainly was, if one judged by his clothes: a tall white hat, an irreproachable collar, a scarf with two pins in it, dust coat, nankeen trousers, and patent boots.
“Brought over in a bandbox,” whispered Tom, who had joined Mat in the inspection. “I don’t think he will ‘shape’ much!”
“I don’t know,” rejoined his companion; “I’ve seen swells just like him at home, and I’ve seen them fight!”
Mr. Fulrake, for he it was, had now ascended to the verandah, and, looking about for a bell, but finding none, subsided languidly into a “squatter,” and lit a cigarette.
Having finished this without seeing anyone, he got up to examine the house, and finally entered a room, which happened to be the one occupied by the ladies and the squire.
“Welcome to Bulinda!” said Bell, coming forward. “I know it must be Mr. Fulrake from the family likeness!”
“Thanks!” replied the new arrival, as he exchanged bows with Mrs. Bell and her daughter. “I’ve been outside for about a quarter of an hour; couldn’t find any one, you know. Will you send the servant to bring in my luggage?”