“I am quite agreeable, Mr Thornton.”
“Would you object greatly to calling me Father or Dad?”
“No. I’vebeen wanting to do it for years, Dad.”
And then the squatter’s eyes were lifted from the track and looked into Dugdale’s face with genuine affection.
*
Martha, wearing a pink blouse and sky-blue print dress, her feet unencumbered by hateful, unnatural footwear, rolled ponderously along the veranda, and set upon the small table the afternoon tea-tray. Kate Flinders smiled into the ugly yet lovable old face, and helped the gin to move the table a little way along the veranda to where the vines cast a heavy shade.
“Visitorcome tree minutes ago, Missy Katie,” Martha informed the Darling of the Darling. “Minetinkit him plurry nice man. Lor -here hecome!”
The huge woman rolled off towards her kitchen, and turning, Kate saw Dugdale through the vine leaves nearly running towards the veranda steps. Her heart almost stopped its beating, then raced with sledgehammer strokes.
And when he stood before her, when his eyes became accustomed to the shadows, he saw her lovely-face lit with wonder, with yearning, with love unmasked. And without a word between them, he took her in his trembling arms, and heard her sigh rapturously before his lips found hers.
Glossary
Billabong-Inland pool
Billy, Billycan-Bush teapot
Bonzer-Splendid
Boxed-Mixed
Brownie-Bush cake, no eggs or butter
Buck-Aboriginal man
Bushed-Lost in the bush
Clay-pan-Hollow in clay soil, sometimes holding water
Damper-Bush bread
Dingo-Wild bush dog
Dinkum-Honest, proper, correct
Galah-Rose-breasted cockatoo
Gin-Aboriginal woman, lubra
Goodo-All right
Humpy-Bush hut, whirlie
Jackeroo-Station apprentice
John-Policeman
Kirras-Boomerang for throwing
Kookaburra-‘Laughingjackass’, bird whose cry resembles laughter
Lubra-Aboriginal woman, young gin
Murrawirrie-Boomerang for striking
Outlaw-Unbroken or vicious horse
Planted-Buried
Plurry-Very
Snifter-A drink (Alcoholic)
Squatter-Station owner
Station-Large cattle or sheep farm, ranch
Sundowner-Tramp
Swag-Bushman’s roll, bundle, or pack, containing necessaries
Tart-Girl, sweetheart
Tucker-Food
Waddy-War-club, walking stick
Walkabout-Togo walkabout is to go on tramp, holiday, etc.
Whirlie-Bush hut, humpy
Wongium-Throwingboomerang that returns to theThrower
Wowzer-Religious fanatic, killjoy