“’Tis yourself has great courage entirely,” said her father, looking at her respectfully. “I’d rather tackle a wild buffalo!”
“I’m not sure that I wouldn’t,” returned Norah. “However, she’s all the buffalo I’ve got, so I may as well get it over.” She turned as she reached the door. “Tell old Harry how glad we are, Dad. And don’t you think you ought to let Jim know?”
“Yes—I’ll ring him up too.” And off went Norah, singing. Three Australians—in “dear little Surrey!” It was almost too good to be true.
But Mrs. Atkins did not think so. She was sorting linen, with a sour face, when Norah entered her sanctum and made known her news. The housekeeper remained silent for a moment.
“Well, I don’t see how we’re to manage, miss,” she said at length. “The house is pretty full as it is.”
“There is the big room with two single beds,” Norah said. “We can put a third bed in. They won’t mind being together.”
Mrs. Atkins sniffed.
“It isn’t usual to crowd people like that, miss.”
“It won’t matter in this case,” said Norah.
“Did you say Australians, miss?” asked the housekeeper. “Officers?”