Hornung Ernest William - A Bride from the Bush стр 6.

Oh, rather! said Gladys, smiling unabashed upon the old gentleman. Weve no rivers like it in Australia. Ive just been saying so.

Granville, who had been watching for a change in his mothers expression when she should first hear the Bride speak, was not disappointed. Lady Bligh winced perceptibly. Judges, however, may be relied upon to keep their countenances, if anybody may; it is their business; Sir James was noted for it, and he merely said dryly, I suppose not, and that was all.

And then they all walked up the lawn together to where tea awaited them in the veranda. The Brides dark eyes grew round at sight of the gleaming silver teapot and dainty Dresden china; she took her seat in silence in a low wicker chair, while the others talked around her; but presently she was heard exclaiming:

No, thanks, no milk, and Ill sweeten it myself, please.

But its cream, said Lady Bligh, good-naturedly, pausing with the cream-jug in the air.

The same thing, returned Gladys. We never took any on the station, so I like it better without; and it cant be too strong, if you please. We didnt take milk, she turned to explain to Sir James, because, in a general way, our only cow was a tin one, and we preferred no milk at all. We ran sheep, you see, not cattle.

A tin cow! said Sir James.

She means they only had condensed milk, said Alfred, roaring with laughter.

But our cow is not tin, said Lady Bligh, smiling, as she still poised the cream-jug; will you not change your mind?

No, thanks, said the Bride stoutly.

It was another rather awkward moment, for it did seem as though Gladys was disagreeably independent. And Alfred, of all people, made the moment more awkward still, and, indeed, more uncomfortable than any that had preceded it.

Gladdie, he exclaimed in his airiest manner, youre a savage! A regular savage, as Ive told you over and over again!

No one said anything. Gladys smiled, and Alfred chuckled over his pleasantry. But it was a pleasantry that contained a most unpleasant truth. The others felt this, and it made them silent. It was a relief to all with the possible exception of the happy pair, neither of whom appeared to be over-burdened with self-consciousness when Lady Bligh carried off Gladys, and delivered her in her own room into the safe keeping of Miss Bunn, her appointed maid.

This girl, Bunn, presently appeared in the servants hall, sat down in an interesting way, and began to twirl her thumbs with great ostentation. Being questioned, in fulfilment of her artless design, she said that she was not wanted upstairs. Being further questioned, she rattled off a string of the funny things Mrs H alfred had said to her along with a feeble imitation of Mrs H alfreds very funny way of saying them. This is not a matter of importance; but it was the making of Bunn below stairs; so long as Mrs Alfred remained in the house, her maids popularity as a kitchen entertainer was assured.

The Bride wished to be alone; at all events she desired no personal attendance.

What should she want with a maid? A ladys-maid was a fixing she did not understand, and did not wish to understand; she had said so plainly, and that she didnt see where Miss Bunn came in; and then Miss Bunn had gone out, in convulsions. And now the Bride was alone at last, and stood pensively gazing out of her open window at the wonderful green trees and the glittering river, at the deep cool shadows and the pale evening sky; and delight was in her bold black eyes; yet a certain sense of something not quite as it ought to be a sensation at present vague and undefined made her graver than common. And so she stood until the door was burst suddenly open, and a long arm curled swiftly round her waist, and Alfred kissed her.

My darling! tell me quickly

Stop! said Gladys. Ill bet I guess what it is you want me to tell you! Shall I?

Yes, if you can, for I certainly do want you to tell me something.

Then its what I think of your people!

How you like them, Alfred amended. Yes, that was it. Well, then?

Well, then I like your mother. She has eyes like yours, Alfred, large and still and kind, and she is big and motherly.

Then, oh, my darling, why on earth didnt you kiss her?

Kiss her? Not me ! Why should I?

She meant to kiss you; I saw she did.

Dont you believe it! Even if she had, it would have been only for your sake. You wait a little bit; wait till she knows me, and if she wants to kiss me then let her!

Alfred was pained by his young wifes tone; he had never before heard her speak so strangely, and her eyes were wistful. He did not quite understand her, but he did not try to, then; he varied the subject.

How about Gran?

Oh, that Gran! cried Gladys. I cant suffer him at all.

Cant suffer Gran! What on earth do you mean, Gladys?

I mean that he was just a little beast in the boat! You think he was as glad to see you as you were him, because you judge by yourself; but not a bit of it; I know better. It was all put on with him, and a small all too. Then you asked him to tell me about the places we passed, and he only laughed at me. Ah, you may laugh at people without moving a muscle, but people may see it all the same; and I did, all along; and just before we got here I very near told him so. If I had, Id have given him one, you stake your life!