Page:The Toll of the Bush.pdf/117

of the sun’s vertical beams. The mingled odours of the standing forest came down the south wind, and the air was full of the liquid talk of the tuis as they sipped at the pendent blossoms of the honeysuckle trees. The crops were growing vigorously, the hardest of the work was done, and the reward of labour was in sight. Planting kamaras was a pleasant relaxation, calling for no physical exertion, and allowing the mind to wander at its will. So Robert, who would have scorned to pay a mere compliment, summed up his satisfaction with the moment by telling Lena that she was beautiful.

Lena seemed astonished. She had discarded the flour-bags from the day they had attracted the young man’s attention, and was dressed in a gray print frock, with black shoes and stockings, all of which Robert had seen on other occasions. A wide rush hat rested on her sunny curls and shadowed her fair face and blue eyes. Altogether she was a sufficiently charming picture of a young maiden to justify Robert’s remark; and if she were astonished, the astonishment probably had reference not so much to the words as to the quarter whence they emanated.

‘Oh, Robert,’ she said again, ‘father has come back!’

Robert’s face fell slightly, and he put the kumara sets back on the bed. ‘Come and tell me,’ he said.

They went together to a log behind the house and sat down side by side. A row of quince bushes formed a screen in front of them, giving the spot the privacy of a room. Their actions seemed to show that this was not the first time they had made use of the log.