'We shall start for Simpson's Ranges in the morning.'
'It is so long since we've seen you that you won't mind if we don't break our hearts at parting.' She glanced towards Aurora, who had turned her back to them.
'That's the least I expect of you, Mrs. Ben.'
'Well, you're not a bad lad, though inconstant. Give me a kiss, and good luck go with you. Be a man,' she added in a whisper. 'Say a few kind words to the poor girl.' She nodded towards Aurora.
'I came wishing to.'
'You ruffian!' she said aloud; 'and you pretending you cared a copper dump about Mother Kyley. She pushed him towards Aurora, and rolled from the tent with one of her great gusts of laughter.
'I'm off, Joy!' said Done.
She turned and looked at him. She was in one of her quiet humours. If she had felt much grief, it had left little impression upon her. She was neatly dressed and looking very fresh and girlish to-day.
'I heard you were going,' she answered.
'Joy!' He put out an open hand. 'Let us part friends; I'm fond of you—I am, upon my soul!'