Never a dog but wagged his tail when he caught Sam's eye.
"You're abroad early this morning, sir," said the man; "nothing the matter; is there, sir ?" "Nothing," said Sam, "save that one of Captain Brentwood's bulls is missing, and I came out to tell you to have an extra look round." "I'll attend to it, sir." "Hi! Matt," said Sam, "you look uncommonly smart." Matt bent down his head, and laughed, in a rather sheepish sort of way.
"Well, you see, sir, I was coming into the home station to see if the Major could spare me for a few days." "What, going a courting, eh?
Well, I'll make that all right for you.
Who is the lady,--eh ?" "Why, its Elsy Macdonald, I believe." "Elsy Macdonald!" said Sam.
"Ay, yes, sir.

I know what you mean, but she ain't like her sister; and that was more Mr.Charles Hawker's fault than her own.

No; Elsy is good enough for me, and I'm not very badly off, and begin to fancy I would like some better sort of welcome in the evening than what a cranky old brute of a hutkeeper can give me.

So I think I shall bring her home." "I wish you well, Matt," said Sam; "I hope you are not going to leave us though." "No fear, sir; Major Buckley is too good a master for that!" "Well, I'll get the hut coopered up a bit for you, and you shall be as comfortable as circumstances will permit.

Good morning." "Good morning, sir; I hope I may see you happily married yourself some of these days." Sam laughed, "that would be a fine joke," he thought, "but why shouldn't it be, eh?
I suppose it must come some time or another.