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He dismounted, threw his bridle reins across a stump, and came towards her. Ann rose to get the tea from the billy, steaming over the embers of the camp fire.

He threw himself down on the fern near the spot where she had been sitting, and Ann brought him the tea. Again she was a little amused at his calm acceptance of her services, and at her own meekness in proffering it. “He’s a working-man and I’m what the world would call a lady,” she thought. “And yet here I am running about waiting on him.” Well, what did it matter? She liked him—was quite pleased to have him to talk to. Why not be happy and natural, instead of standing on her dignity? So having supplied him with food, she sat beside him. One of his eyes was still a trifle darkened from the fight, but that didn’t detract from his good looks. Why weren’t all human beings like this? Beautiful, with the beauty of perfect form and physical fitness. It was a sheer joy just to look at him. And in her mind she began to picture the splendid Juno-like woman he ought to marry and the beautiful strong-limbed children they would have!

Over the edge of the enamel cup his eyes met hers fixed upon him.

“Well?” he said. “What now?”

She laughed. “I was just wondering...”

“Wondering what?”

“Speculating rather impertinently about your future.”

“What about my future? Am I going to win the steeplechase at the Omoana races next month?”

“I didn’t know there were to be any races. No, it was something more important than that.”