enjoyed themselves; then the men lounged about the stables and
smoked, and the three women cleared away a little. F--- and our
gentlemen guests got up athletic sports in the shade which seemed
very popular, though it appeared a great deal of trouble to take on
such a hot day. As the sun sank below the hills it grew much
cooler, and my two maids came with a shamefaced request to be
allowed to dance in the kitchen. I inquired about the music?--that
was provided for by a fiddle and some pipes; so I consented, but I
found they wanted me to start them. I selected as my partner a very
decent young farmer who lives near, but has left his farm and is at
work branding our sheep all shearing-time. The pride and delight of
his mate was much greater than my partner's; he stood near his
friend, prompting him through the mazes of the most extraordinary
quadrille you ever saw, with two extra figures. Then there was an
endless polka, in which everybody danced, like Queen Elizabeth,
"high and disposedly;" but the ball ended at nine o'clock, and we
were given some cold dinner, for which we were all very ready. The
next morning saw the remains of the festivity cleared away, and
every one hard at work again; for this is our very busiest season.
The work of the station, however, is carried on at the homestead two
miles off. F--- is there all day long, but I see nothing of it.
While the shearers' hearts were tender, I asked them to come over to
church on Sunday, and they have promised to do so: I lend them
quantities of books and papers also, so as to keep them amused and
away from the accommodation-house.



Letter XV: Everyday station life.