‘Oh!’
‘Do you think, Adela, I’m going to play second fiddle to your bush-whacking cousins? Not at all! There’s always the barmaid for me.’
‘Really, I despair of you. You’re as narrow as can be. But I’m going to be loyal to my friends.’
‘All right, Adela; I’m off,’ I said, getting up in a theatrical way. I didn’t really mean to go. I wanted to test her. But I was so amazed at her cool acceptance of my dramatic exit that I repeated, ‘Adela, I’m off,’ and went to the door.
She followed me out, quietly helped me on with my coat, and, just as I lifted my hat, she burst out laughing.
‘What are you laughing at?’
‘You, you silly boy.’
‘Oh!’
‘If I showed you the photo of the Australians, the joke would be apparent.’
‘Well, show it to me,’ I said, glad of finding any excuse to stay.