"It's not you alone,
little mate; your old Dad's under sentence too."
"I think that makes things a lot easier," said Norah, "'cause you and
I always do things together, don't we, Daddy? And--and--" Just for a
moment her lips trembled. "Must we, Dad?"
He tightened his arm.
"Yes, dear."
There was a pause.
"After Christmas?"
"Yes--in February."
"Then I've got nine weeks," said Norah, practically. "We won't talk
about it more than we can help, I think, don't you? Have your tea,
Daddy, or it'll be cold and horrid." She brought her own cup and sat
down on the arm of his chair. "How many bullocks did you buy?"
CHAPTER II
TOGETHER
And you and I were faithful mates.
HENRY LAWSON.
Afterwards--when the blow was a little less heavy as Norah grew
accustomed to it--they talked it over thoroughly.
Norah's education, in the strict sense of the term, had only been
carried on for about two years. In reality it had gone on all her life,
spent mostly at her father's side; but that was the kind of education
that does not live between the covers of books. Together, David Linton
and his daughter had worked, and played and talked--much more of the
former condition than of either of the latter. All that the bush could
teach her Norah knew, and in most of the work of the station--Billabong
was a noted cattle-run--she was as handy as any of the men.
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