What the glass of brandy-and-water was to Mickey O'Dowd after a fortnight's solitude in a bush hut, with tea, dampers, and lumps of mutton, a young man in the guise of a gentleman was to poor Kate Daly.

A brother-in-law, let him be ever so good, is after all no better than tea without milk.

No doubt Mickey O'Dowd often thought about a nobbler in his thirsty solitude, and so did Kate speculate on what might possibly be the attractions of a lover.

Medlicot probably indulged in no such speculations; but the nobbler, when brought close to his lips, was grateful to him as to others.

That Kate Daly was very pretty no man could doubt.
"Isn't it sad that he should have to ride about all night like that ?" said Kate, to whom, as was proper, Harry Heathcote at the present moment was of more importance than any other human being.
"I suppose he likes it." "Oh no, Mr.Medlicot; how can he like it?
It is not the hard work he minds, but the constant dread of coming evil." "The excitement keeps him alive." "There's plenty on a station to keep a man alive in that way at all times." "And plenty to keep ladies alive too ?" "Oh, ladies! I don't know that ladies have any business in the bush.
Harry's trouble is all about my sister and the children and me.