“We've had a very good time,” said Bob; and was astonished to find himself speaking truthfully. “Jolly good of you to have me; I know a new-chum isn't much use.”
“Well, I wouldn't say as how you weren't,” said old Joe deliberately. “I ain't strong on new-chums, meself—some of them immy-grants they send out are a fair cow to handle; but I will say, Captin, you ain't got no frills, nor you don't mind puttin' your back into a job. I worked you pretty 'ard, too.” He chuckled deeply.
“Did you?” asked Bob—and chuckled in his turn.
“Well, I didn't see no points in spoon-feedin' you. If a man's goin' on the land he may as well know wot 'e's likely to strike. There's lots'll tell you you won't strike anythink 'arder than ol' Joe—an' p'raps you won't,” he added. “Any'ow, yous asked fer work, an' it was up ter me ter see that yous got it. But don't go imaginin' you've learned all there is ter know about farmin' yet.”
“If there's one thing I'm certain of, it's that,” said Bob a trifle grimly.
“That's right. I ain't got much of a farm, an' any'ow, it's winter. I on'y showed yous a few of the odd jobs—an' wot it is to 'ave to batch fer yerself, not comin' in like a lord to Billabong ter see wot Mrs. Brown's been cookin' for yous. Nothin' like a bit o' batchin' ter teach a cove. An' you mind, Captin—if you start anywhere on yer own, you batch decent; keep things clean an' don't get into the way o' livin' just any'ow. I ain't much, nor the meenoo ain't excitin'; but things is clean.”
“Well—I have a sister,” said Bob. “So I'm in luck. But I guess I know a bit more about her side of the job now.”
“And that's no bad thing for Tommy,” said Jim.
“Oo's 'e?” demanded Joe.
“Oh—that's his sister.”