“You can’t help it, sir. But if I was you I should be careful. You’ll have a deal to do with the convicts.”
“Oh no,” cried Nic. “I am going straight up the country to my father’s place.”
“Yes, sir, I know; and that’s why I was presuming to give you a bit of advice—that is, as a man who has had twenty years’ experience.”
“I don’t understand you.”
The warder laughed.
“I suppose not, sir. Well, it’s like this. Your father has taken up land, and keeps sheep and cattle, I suppose?”
“Yes, thousands.”
“And employs men?”
“Of course. He has said so in his letters. He is obliged to have several.”
“And if he was in England he could engage farm labourers easily enough.”