She still gazed at him in astonishment. "Jack! But I never asked him to
wait!"

He turned from her with a shrug of the shoulders. "No, but I did."

"You did? Jack, what can you mean?"

Jack stooped to feel one of his animal's hocks. He spoke without looking
at her. "It's been my great wish--all this time. I've been deuced anxious
about you often. Australia isn't the place for unprotected girls--at
least, not out in the wilds. I've seen--more than enough of that. And
you're no wiser than the rest. You lost your head once--over a rotter.
You might again. Who knows?"

"Oh, really, Jack!" The girl's face flushed very deeply. She turned it
aside instinctively, though he was not looking at her. But the colour
died as quickly as it came, leaving her white and quivering.

She stood mutely struggling for self-control while Jack continued. "I
know Fletcher. I know he's sound. He's a man who always gets what he
wants. He wouldn't be a magistrate now if he didn't. And when I saw he
wanted you, I made up my mind he should have you if I could possibly work
it. I gave him my word I'd help him, and I begged him to wait a bit, to
give you time to get over that other affair. He's been waiting--ever
since."

Dot's hands clenched slowly. She spoke with a great effort. "Then he'd
better stop waiting--at once, Jack, and marry someone else."