Mrs Lee was a very unimportant-looking little woman; yet she ruled at
home even as Martin Lee ruled abroad; and after the supper that night,
when Katie had occasion to attend to sundry maternal orders, there was
plenty of free open discussion, in which Parson Meadows was invited to
join.
"I've no objection to you at all, Edward," said Mrs Lee, "only that you
will go away for a twelvemonth at a time; and if we let you have Katie,
you will either carry her off, or else be making her a widow till you
return again; and that's why I have set my face against it."
"Why can't you settle down here, my lad?" said old Lee, puffing
leisurely at his pipe.
"Ay, and plough the land instead of the ocean," put in Mr Meadows.
"You are all hard upon me," said Edward, laughing. "Didn't I give up
the navy?"
"Let him alone," said old Lee; "he'll come round in time."
"To be sure," said Mr Meadows. "And, after all, my young friend, it's
a pleasant patriarchal life you would lead here--at peace with the
world, nature smiling upon you, a glorious climate, and sickness a thing
hardly known. Truly, yours would be a pleasant prospect. No need here
to lock or bar your doors to keep out the thieves who break through and
steal. Indeed, I should envy you if I were a young man--young as he who
went out."
"Ah, poor Bray! I'm afraid he'll be rather nettled about your coming,
Ned. I know Katie gave him no encouragement; but the old lady there
took a fancy to him; and now she has turned her coat. Fickle ever!"
Just then Katie returned to take her place in the circle, seating
herself by Edward Murray, with the innocent air of one who sought
protection at the side of the stronger.
The night was wearing on, and early hours were the rule at the Moa's
Nest; so old Lee slowly rose, pipe in hand, and made his customary
round, stopping here and there for a few whiffs, till he was satisfied
that sheep and cattle were well folded, horses bedded down, dogs loose
and watchful; though no enemies were ever dreaded there--the old settler
being on the best of terms with neighbour and native.
On returning, he encountered Mr Meadows a few yards from the door.
"The young folks seemed as though they could well spare me, friend Lee,"
he said; "so I strolled out to finish my pipe with you. Youth lasts but
a while: let them enjoy the happy season. We are getting older than
when we first met, ten years ago, friend Lee; and things have prospered
with you."
"Ay," said the settler; "thank Providence, they have; for it's a sore
job to work early and late, and see the toil all wasted. I've prospered
well here, parson; and if things go on so, I shall die a rich man. I
wish they prospered as well with you."
"They prosper well enough, Martin Lee. I've my own little home, and the
people in my district are kind and hospitable when I visit them; and,
somehow, this half-civilised sort of existence suits me better than the
life at the old home. I have never regretted my large town curacy, and
I hope I never shall."
They stood silent for a few moments.
"Your bonnie English bud is breaking into a fair and sweet-scented rose,
Martin Lee," said Mr Meadows at last.
"What--Katie? Yes, yes, God bless her! But it gets to be a worrying
time, parson, when the lads come wooing; and, though I took no heed to
it, that young fellow Bray went out looking as if he'd like to make an
end of us all."
"Be charitable, friend Lee--be charitable. The young man was hot and
bitter and disappointed; and no wonder. A night's rest will do him much
good, poor lad. Let's pity, and not condemn."
"Very well," said old Lee, smiling; "and now let's go in."
They re-entered the house just as Edward Murray exclaimed:
"There, I have it! Been trying to call to mind who he was for days
past; but I have it now."
"And pray, who was he?" said Mr Meadows dryly.
"The head-clerk at Elderby's; don't you remember, Mr Lee? He was
transported for life for forging a will--John Grant."
"And what about him?" asked the settler.
"Why, I met him at Port Caroline a few days ago, in a gang of men
returning from work, I suppose; and he spoke to me by name. Strange we
should meet again."
"Well, a little, perhaps," said Mr Meadows. "I remember his case now
you name it. But the world is not big enough to hide yourself anywhere.
You are sure to encounter some one who knows you, or your relatives.
Good-night, and heaven protect you all!"
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