“Yes, I see,” cried Nic.
“To be sure you do. Well, then, the ship sails in a month from to-day: so what’s the good of your stopping here for a month?”
“But I’ve nowhere else to go,” said Nic.
“Oh! yes, you have. You and I have got to be great friends—there, something more than that. I shall just borrow you of your father and mother till I have to give you up at Port Jackson. So, what do you say to my taking you away with me at once?”
“Lady O’Hara!”
“Don’t shout, boy: this isn’t the bush. Will you come?”
Nic sprang from his chair.
“Look at that, now!” cried Lady O’Hara, showing her teeth. “Hadn’t we better have a bit of lunch first?”
“Oh! yes, yes, yes, of course. But, Lady O’Hara, will you take me?”
“Take ye? Why, what an ungrateful young rapparee it is, wanting to leave the home of five years like that!”