a horse-load of sugar and tea and flour, for the sake of a glass of
brandy-and-water."

"And so would you," said Harry, "if you lived in a hut by yourself
for a fortnight, with nothing to drink but tea without milk."

The old lady and Mrs. Heathcote were soon seated on the grass, while
Medlicot and Kate Daly roamed on together. Kate was a pretty, modest
girl, timid withal and shy, unused to society, and therefore awkward,
but with the natural instincts and aptitudes of her sex. What the
glass of brandy-and-water was to Mickey O'Dowd after a fortnight's
solitude in a bush hut, with tea, dampers, and lumps of mutton, a
young man in the guise of a gentleman was to poor Kate Daly. A
brother-in-law, let him be ever so good, is after all no better than
tea without milk. No doubt Mickey O'Dowd often thought about a
nobbler in his thirsty solitude, and so did Kate speculate on what
might possibly be the attractions of a lover. Medlicot probably
indulged in no such speculations; but the nobbler, when brought close
to his lips, was grateful to him as to others. That Kate Daly was
very pretty no man could doubt.

"Isn't it sad that he should have to ride about all night like that?"
said Kate, to whom, as was proper, Harry Heathcote at the present
moment was of more importance than any other human being.

"I suppose he likes it."

"Oh no, Mr. Medlicot; how can he like it? It is not the hard work he
minds, but the constant dread of coming evil."