"It's time I set about making my own living," said Dot Burton.

She spoke resolutely, and her face was resolute also; its young lines
were for the moment almost grim. She stood in the doorway of the stable,
watching her brother rub down the animal he had just been riding. Behind
her the rays of the Australian sun smote almost level, making of her fair
hair a dazzling aureole of gold. The lashes of her blue eyes were tipped
with gold also, but the brows above them were delicately dark. They were
slightly drawn just then, as if she were considering a problem of
considerable difficulty.

Jack Burton was frankly frowning over his task. It was quite evident that
his sister's announcement was not a welcome one.

She continued after a moment, as he did not respond in words: "I am sure
I could make a living, Jack. I'm not the 'new chum' I used to be, thanks
to you. You've taught me a whole heap of things."

Jack glanced up for a second. "Aren't you happy here?" he said.

She eluded the question. "You've been awfully good to me, dear old boy.
But really, you know, I think you've got burdens enough without me. In
any case, it isn't fair that I should add to them."

Jack grunted. "It isn't fair that you should do more than half the work
on the place and not be paid for it, you mean. You're quite right, it
isn't."

"No, I don't mean that, Jack." Quite decidedly she contradicted him. "I
don't mind work. I like to have my time filled. I love being useful. It