“Dear Mat, I have nothing to forgive; let us go home; let me go to father.”
Two minutes later, and Annie was telling her story, interrupted by little sobs, on the breast of her father. That worthy man told her that he had been searching for Mat all the morning, and had then applied to Tabor to help him. “And what do you think the parson said?” he continued. “Why he answered me quite rudely, said that Mat might be engaged—or asleep; better not be disturbed, and that he, Tabor, could not be bothered looking for him, as his back ached from weeding the garden, and that I might send Annie to fetch a pruning-knife which he had left in her arbour, ‘to save his old legs’—old legs indeed!—artful old chap!
“And then, lassie, I looked for you. Couldn’t find you amongst your poultry; had not even visited ‘Robin Hood,’ as you do every morning; so I came back here, and here you are.
“And to think that that rascal, Mat, had not even had his breakfast, bless my soul! In my time, we managed these little affairs much more conveniently.
“But seriously, child, I am glad, relieved, that now, and afterwards, when I am gone, I can leave my little girl to the care of as honourable a man as ever trod forest heather or Australian bush.”
CHAPTER XX.
Back in the old Forest—Jumper’s last home—Return of our hero and heroine for good and all to Bulinda Creek—Conclusion and farewell.
Mrs. Bell had some time before this given up all hopes of her daughter becoming attached to any of the young visitors to Sydney whom she had set her heart upon.
Addressing her husband upon the subject, some weeks previously, she said,—
“It’s no good, Bell, I did ’ope she would take to some one of those young men with a ’andle to their names; they are ready enough to come forward; but though she is pleasant and gay enough with them all, it’s very soon, ‘Mother, riding at the Creek suits me better than these stuffy rooms;’ and back we have to come to Bulinda. I ’ate the Bush, and should be glad of a change to Tasmania or somewhere; it would do Annie good too to be right away from the station.”