"More than a tiny bit, mummie," he said.
"We needn't think about that yet, though," said Mrs. Orban cheerily; "it is a long way off, with plenty of lovely times between. I only wish father had not to go so soon."
"How soon?" queried Nesta sharply.
"He says he must be off the end of this month," was the answer; "that is why the school-going has had to be settled so hurriedly. But he has a lovely dream for the future: before you have left school he hopes to be able to come to England for good and settle down here."
"How long would it be before that, mother?" Eustace asked.
"Oh, four or five years, perhaps," said Mrs. Orban.
"But shan't we ever go back to Australia again?" Nesta said with a gulp.
"You won't want to, my dear, once you get used to England," said her mother gently. "Of course it would not be possible for you to come home all that distance for holidays, but you will soon learn not to mind if you have our home-coming to look forward to. Now I will tell you a little about the schools you are going to."
It was easy to listen with apparent interest to this, to put in a question here and there and glean all the information possible. But when the pair left the room Nesta suddenly gripped her brother's arm.
"Eustace," she said huskily, "I—I can't bear it."