And the lectures—Oh, those lectures to our stony hearts addressed!
“Don’t be mixin’ with the Regans and the Ryans and the rest”—
“Don’t be pickin’ up with Carey’s little talkative kanats”—[[5]]
Well, she had us almost thinking we were born aristocrats.
But we found our level early—in disaster, as a rule—
For they knocked “the notions” sideways at the old bush school.
Down the road came Laughing Mary, and the beast that she bestrode
Was Maloney’s sorry piebald she had found beside the road;
Straight we scrambled up behind her, and as many as could fit
Clung like circus riders bare-back without bridle-rein or bit,