On the other hand, what new complications might arise?
All these years the Gordons had lived on the assumption that Mr.Grant would provide for them, without having any promise or agreement from him; and, owing to the old man's violent temper, they had been in daily risk of being ordered off the place.

They had got used to this as people get used to living on the side of a volcano.

But now--?
Her father dead! He could not bear to see her grief, and the thought of it made him determined to get away as quickly as possible.

Quietly he awoke his mother, and told her what had happened, and by dawn was well on his way to Tarrong to catch the train to Sydney..