Arthur Upfield - The Barrakee Mystery

“I am quite agreeable, Mr Thornton.”

“Would you object greatly to calling me Father or Dad?”

“No. I’vebeen wanting to do it for years, Dad.”

And then the squatter’s eyes were lifted from the track and looked into Dugdale’s face with genuine affection.

*

Martha, wearing a pink blouse and sky-blue print dress, her feet unencumbered by hateful, unnatural footwear, rolled ponderously along the veranda, and set upon the small table the afternoon tea-tray. Kate Flinders smiled into the ugly yet lovable old face, and helped the gin to move the table a little way along the veranda to where the vines cast a heavy shade.

“Visitorcome tree minutes ago, Missy Katie,” Martha informed the Darling of the Darling. “Minetinkit him plurry nice man. Lor -here hecome!”

The huge woman rolled off towards her kitchen, and turning, Kate saw Dugdale through the vine leaves nearly running towards the veranda steps. Her heart almost stopped its beating, then raced with sledgehammer strokes.

And when he stood before her, when his eyes became accustomed to the shadows, he saw her lovely-face lit with wonder, with yearning, with love unmasked. And without a word between them, he took her in his trembling arms, and heard her sigh rapturously before his lips found hers.

Glossary

Billabong-Inland pool

Billy, Billycan-Bush teapot

Bonzer-Splendid

Boxed-Mixed

Brownie-Bush cake, no eggs or butter

Buck-Aboriginal man

Bushed-Lost in the bush

Clay-pan-Hollow in clay soil, sometimes holding water

Damper-Bush bread

Dingo-Wild bush dog

Dinkum-Honest, proper, correct

Galah-Rose-breasted cockatoo

Gin-Aboriginal woman, lubra

Goodo-All right

Humpy-Bush hut, whirlie

Jackeroo-Station apprentice

John-Policeman

Kirras-Boomerang for throwing

Kookaburra-‘Laughingjackass’, bird whose cry resembles laughter

Lubra-Aboriginal woman, young gin

Murrawirrie-Boomerang for striking

Outlaw-Unbroken or vicious horse

Planted-Buried

Plurry-Very

Snifter-A drink (Alcoholic)

Squatter-Station owner

Station-Large cattle or sheep farm, ranch

Sundowner-Tramp

Swag-Bushman’s roll, bundle, or pack, containing necessaries

Tart-Girl, sweetheart

Tucker-Food

Waddy-War-club, walking stick

Walkabout-Togo walkabout is to go on tramp, holiday, etc.

Whirlie-Bush hut, humpy

Wongium-Throwingboomerang that returns to theThrower

Wowzer-Religious fanatic, killjoy