While this is going on, the Recruiting Officer takes Robert and the 2nd Shepherd out, followed by the men with him, leaving Nora, 1st Shepherd, Roto and Varlie in a group. Loveday a little apart.)
Roto.
(Grumbling, to 1st Shepherd.) You have a black heart, you Pakeha tutua.
1st Shep.
Trying to lie about your age? You are older than I am.
Roto.
Why not lie about your age, too?
1st Shep.
What would become of the sheep if I went off? Are the sheep to die on the hills because the Germans are scurvy dogs? And the best lot of sheep we have had, too, since I’ve been on the station!
Nora.