JOURNEY TO MEET THE BERRINGTONS FROM ENGLAND--MRS HUGH BERRINGTON AND
HER FAMILY--MR HAYWARD, THE TUTOR--HARRY RETURNS--PREPARATIONS--THE
ARRIVAL.
The drays for the intended journey were packed, and the horses put to.
The captain stood ready, booted and spurred. Harry, to his great
delight, was to accompany his father. Paul would much have liked to go,
but not the slightest sign of disappointment did he allow himself to
exhibit; indeed, he was justly proud of having the responsibility, with
the aid of Sandy, of looking after the family.
The drays were not at all like the cumbersome vehicles which are known
under that name in England. They were merely large, strongly-built
carts on two wheels, drawn by three, four, or five horses, as the nature
of the country might require; though, on a smooth road, one could drag
them. Old Bolter might have suspected that he would be wanted when he
ran off, for he was put into the heaviest. They were now chiefly loaded
with wool and other produce, and with a few articles the travellers
required for their journey. On the return journey they would be fitted
in a very different way--with canvas tilts to keep out the sun or rain,
while in the inside goods were to be packed, easy chairs, or piles of
bedding, and cushions for the accommodation of the ladies and young
children. Besides the horses for the drays, four others were taken, in
case the new arrivals should wish to ride. They were steady animals,
not addicted to following Old Bolter's example. The drays having been
sent on ahead, the captain and Harry, wishing the loved ones at Stratton
good-bye, mounted their horses, and quickly overtook them. The captain
felt no anxiety about the blacks, as Sandy had given notice to the
police of their threatened attack on the young Berringtons, and a party
had been sent out, under an experienced officer, to drive them away.
Now that her husband was fairly off to meet his brother's family, Mrs
Hugh Berrington began to realise the fact that they were coming, and
actively commenced making preparations for their reception. She was a
motherly, active, cheerful little woman, who never, by any chance, lost
her temper, even under the most vexatious circumstances, and always saw
things on the bright side.
Her girls were very like her in many respects--hearty, merry creatures,
with plenty of good sense, not only ready to work, but absolutely hating
idleness. Mary, who was older than Paul, took somewhat after her
father, a tall, handsome girl, though she did not think about the
matter; nor did any one else, because they loved her for her good
qualities. Janet and Lizzie were very like their mother; and Effie was
a fair-haired, blue-eyed little damsel, not yet five years old, though
she, like her sisters, could assume a sedate air, and help in household
matters in all sorts of ways, besides looking after the pet animals.
Rob, who came next to Janet, was a sturdy little chap, courageous as a
young lion. No pain could make him cry out, and he could already ride
after the cattle with as much boldness as his elder brothers. Tommy,
the youngest, it must be acknowledged, was inclined to be a pickle.
Effie patronised him, and did her best to keep him out of mischief, and
he, in most instances, followed her precepts; though, as yet, he had
done very little towards making himself useful, nor had he made any
great strides in book-learning.
The captain and Mrs Berrington had felt the difficulty of educating
their children, and had resolved to send the elder boys and girls to a
school at Sydney or Melbourne, when the captain, while on a journey,
happened to stop at a shepherd's hut towards night to obtain shelter
from a storm which was coming on. The hut-keeper was a rough-looking
fellow, and the captain fully expected to find the shepherd the same
description of person. The sheep having been folded, the shepherd
entered the hut. What, then, was Captain Berrington's surprise to find
himself addressed in a tone and manner which showed that the speaker was
a gentleman and a person of education, as he proved by his conversation,
while the small but well-chosen library on a shelf above his bunk, and a
copy of Horace which he took from his pocket, showed that the rough life
he led did not prevent him from still indulging in the pleasures of
literature.
He had gone through his course at the university, and had intended
entering one of the learned professions, when he was obliged to visit
Australia for his health. During his absence from home, he heard that
every penny of the property he possessed was lost; and unable, after
frequent attempts, to obtain employment in the cities, he had, as a last
resource, been induced to go into the bush and turn shepherd, hoping
ultimately, by the knowledge he would gain, to be able to take some
superior situation on an estate. He, however, confessed that he was
heartily weary of the life which, it was evident, was rendered doubly
disagreeable by the character of his mate, although he uttered no
complaint against the man. The term of service for which he had engaged
was just about to expire, and Captain Berrington, much pleased with him,
invited him, as soon as he should be at liberty, to come to Stratton.
In the meantime he made all the inquiries in his power about Mr
Hayward, and was satisfied of the truth of the account he gave of
himself. Mr Martin Hayward was not only a scholar and a gentleman, but
was a fair artist, and possessed considerable musical talent; he was,
moreover, a true and enlightened Christian. He had spent about a month
at Stratton, when Captain Berrington made him an offer to act as tutor
to his children. This he had eagerly accepted, and had faithfully
fulfilled his trust, never showing the slightest inclination to resign
it. The boys were very fond of him, and, for the few hours they were
every day engaged in their studies, they worked most diligently. He
also afforded Mrs Berrington considerable help in instructing the
girls, so that they were fully as well educated, at all events, as the
generality of young ladies.
Mrs Hugh Berrington received a letter from her husband, saying that his
brother Frank and family had arrived, including a Miss Emily Saville,
the younger sister of Mrs Berrington, and that they proposed setting
out directly the ladies should have recovered the effects of the
sea-voyage. The letter had been some days coming; no time was to be
lost, the party might quickly follow. Mrs Hugh and the girls were busy
from morning to night making preparations for the reception of their
relatives. Mr Hayward insisted on putting up a hut for himself near
that of the overseer, in order that his room might be devoted to their
use; and Paul, answering for Harry, agreed to follow his example. Even
then it would require pretty close packing to accommodate the two
families.
All preparations had been made, and Mrs Hugh Berrington began to wish
that her relatives would arrive and terminate the period of suspense.
It was nearly two months since the drays had started, when one evening,
just as Paul had returned from stocking the cattle, and was on his way
home, with his saddle on his arm, he caught sight of a person on
horseback galloping towards him.
"It must be Harry!" he cried. "No--yes--it is him! He'll bring us
news."
Harry soon came up, and as he threw himself from his steed and shook
hands with his brother, exclaimed, "They'll be here soon after dark, and
father sent me on that mother might have supper ready, and be prepared
for them."
"What sort of people are they? How do you like them?" asked Paul.
"As to that, if we take them in the lot, the less said about them the
better. Uncle Frank's a fine fellow, and father seems very glad to have
him; but Aunt Augusta--well, you'll see her when she comes. She wishes
herself home again, and so do Evelina and Adela, I suspect. The younger
boys are jolly little fellows; but Hector--we shall have to break him
in--he's just what we thought he'd be. Reginald is more likely to take
soon to our ways; he's a manly sort of fellow, and there's some fun in
him. However, you will soon be able to judge for yourself about them
all; only there's one thing--we must not let Mr Hector lord it over us.
If he attempts it, we must take the shine out of him."
Before Harry had told Paul half of what he wanted to know they reached
home, when, as may be supposed, the whole household was aroused into a
state of the greatest activity.
At last the beds were made, the supper-table was laid, the lamps were
lighted, and all was ready. Mrs Berrington and her daughters had sat
down, and taken up their work. Two of them had attempted to read, but
found that impossible just then. Biddy was watching over the pots and
pans in the kitchen. The boys were at the front door, now and then
running along the road to listen, when the cracking of whips, the tramp
of horses, and the sound of wheels was heard.
"Here they come! here they come!" cried the boys, in chorus.
Paul and Harry lighted their lanterns. "That's Uncle Frank," exclaimed
the latter, as a tall, gentlemanly-looking man rode up alongside their
father.
Mrs Hugh Berrington came out to receive them. Greetings were over by
the time the first dray drew up at the door. The captain and Mrs
Berrington assisted a lady to descend, and carried her in their arms
into the house. Two young ladies were next helped out, who appeared to
take very little notice of any one, until Mary and Janet, hurrying
forward, kissed them affectionately, and welcomed them to Stratton, when
they led them into the sitting-room.
"That's Aunt Augusta, and those two Evelina and Adela," whispered Harry.
"And here comes Sybil, the youngest; a jolly little bird, isn't she?
Then Gertrude, Edgar, and Albert are with their Aunt Emily in the other
dray. I shouldn't be surprised if Mr Hector were there too, for I
don't see him on horseback; but here comes Reginald--he'll want to be
introduced, or he'll not speak to you," and Harry laughed. "Here,
Reginald, old fellow, this is my brother Paul, and these are Rob and
Tommy," exclaimed Harry, as a fine-looking lad rode up and, dismounting,
shook hands with his cousins.
The second dray now drove up, and Hector, a delicate-looking youth, was
the first to get out, stretching himself and yawning as he did so.
A very nice-looking young lady, whom the children called "Aunt Emily,"
followed; and then Gertrude, Edgar, and Albert, of whom little could be
known, as they did not utter a word, were lifted out.
"Here, lend a hand and help us, you fellows!" said Paul to his cousins,
as he and Harry went to assist their father and Mr Berrington, who,
with their tutor and Sandy, were engaged in unloading the drays.
Reginald at once came forward, but Hector, without replying, sauntered
into the house.
The articles as they were taken out were piled up round the walls of the
rooms, leaving but little space to move about. Mr Hayward at once went
back to his hut, telling Paul and Harry that he was ready for them, and
that there would be a bed for one of his cousins if he wished to come
up. It was some time after the ladies had been shown their rooms,
before they made their appearance at the supper-table--Mrs Berrington
leaning on her husband's arm, the elder girls following, having changed
their travelling dresses for evening costume, such as was not often seen
in the bush. Their cousins, who wore their usual plain dress, looked at
them with no slight astonishment. Hector came in shortly afterwards,
and took his seat without speaking.
"I am afraid that you must be very tired," remarked Mrs Hugh to her
sister-in-law.
"Yes, indeed; I wonder that I have survived it coming over those
dreadful mountains--sufficient to shake the nerves of the strongest, and
mine are sensitive to a degree," was the answer.
"A few days of quiet will set you all to rights," observed the captain.
"Your girls do not appear to be the worse for it, though Hector looks
somewhat knocked up."
"Ah, yes! he takes after me," said Mrs Berrington.
"I'm rather more bored than tired," observed Hector. "I didn't imagine
that such a country as this was to be found in the Queen's dominions."
"It's the finest country in the world, old fellow," said Harry, from the
other end of the table. "You'll learn to like it in time. So cheer up,
we'll soon make a man of you."
Hector turned a disdainful glance towards the speaker.
"Harry, do not let your tongue run loose," observed his father, though
with no very angry glance.
The conversation soon became general, Miss Emily Saville doing her best
to make amends for her sister's silence. She and her nieces expressed
themselves delighted with the delicious fruits offered them, and the
evening passed by more pleasantly than might have been expected.
Reginald accepted his cousins' invitation to accompany them to their
quarters, thus enabling Hector to share his room with Rob and Edgar. It
is not necessary to particularise how the rest of the family were stowed
away.