I'd lots to think about--my own shortcomings and Luke's responsibilities.' 'He takes them--hard,' hazarded McKeith.
'I hope you gave him good advice,' put in Mrs Gildea.
McKeith's lips twisted into a humorous smile.
'Well, I told Sir Luke that I didn't think he need bother himself just yet awhile over that northern tour of inspection he's talking about.' 'He wants to make a kind of royal progress, Joan, through the Back-Blocks,' said Lady Biddy.
'It'll mean a bit of stiff riding,' said McKeith, 'but I've offered to show him round the Upper Leura anyway, and to find him a quiet hack.' 'Rosamond flatly declines the Royal Progress,' said Bridget.

'I'm coming instead of her.' 'Can you ride ?' he asked.
'CAN I ride--Can any O'Hara ride! You needn't find ME a quiet hack.' 'All right,' said McKeith.

'But I wouldn't make sure of that by putting you on a buckjumper.

It's a bargain then, Lady Bridget.' 'A bargain--what ?' 'You promise to pay me a visit when the Governor makes his trip north--when he carries out his notion of establishing military patrols and a Maxim gun or two to put down Trades-Unionism and native outrages in the Back-Blocks ?' Lady Bridget looked at him thoughtfully.

He had pulled out his tobacco pouch and was filling a well-worn pipe.