By eleven o'clock the Dandy was immaculate, the
guests satisfied that they " weren't too dusty,'-'- while
the Maluka, in spotless white reUeved with a silk cummer-
bund and tie, bid fair to outdo the Dandy. Even the
Quiet Stockman had succeeded in making a soft white
shirt " look as though it had been ironed once." And
then every lubra being radiant with soap, new dresses, and
ribbons, the missus, determined not be to outdone in the
matter of Christmas finery, burrowed into trunks and
boxes, and appeared in cream washing silk, lace fichu,
ribbons, rings, and frivolities — finery, by the way, packed
down south for that " commodious station home."

Cheon was enraptured with the appearance of his com-
pany, and worked, and slaved, and chuckled in the kitchen
as only Cheon could, until at last the critical moment had
arrived. Dinner was ready ; but an unforeseen diflSculty
had presented itself. How was it to be announced, Cheon
queried, having called the missus to the kitchen for a
hasty consultation, for was it wise to pufE up the Quarters
with a chanted summons ?

A compromise beiag decided on as the only possible
course, after the booming teamster's beE had summoned
the Quarters, Cheon, all in white himself, bustled across
to the verandah to call the gentry to the dinner by word
of mouth : — " Dinner ! Boss ! Missus ! " he sang — carefu)
to specify his gentry, for not even reflected glory was to
be shed over the Quarters. Then, moving in and out
among the greenery as he put finishing touches to the
table here and there, he ghded into the wonders of his
Christmas menu : " Soo-oup I Chuckle I Ha-am ! Roo-
oast Veal-er 1 " he chanted. " Cauli-flower 1 Pee-es 1



We of the Never-Never 247

Bee-ens ! Toe-ma-toes I (with a regretful " tinned " in
parenthesis) — " Shweet Poo-tay-toes 1 Bread Sau-ce I "
On and on through mince pies, sweets, cakes, and fruits,
went the monotonous chant, the Maluka and the missus
standing gravely at attention, until a triumphant paeon
of " Plum-m-m Poo-diun 1 " soared upwards as Cheon
waddled off through the decorated verandah extension
for his soup tureen.
