`Yes,' she said, `I thought you knew. I'm going to try and get
into the hospital to be trained for a nurse, and if that doesn't come off
I'll get a place as assistant public-school teacher.'

We didn't say anything for a good while.

`I suppose you won't be sorry to go, Miss Brand?' I said.

`I -- I don't know,' she said. `Everybody's been so kind to me here.'

She sat looking straight before her, and I fancied her eyes glistened.
I put my arm round her shoulders, but she didn't seem to notice it.
In fact, I scarcely noticed it myself at the time.

`So you think you'll be sorry to go away?' I said.

`Yes, Mr Wilson. I suppose I'll fret for a while. It's been my home,
you know.'

I pressed my hand on her shoulder, just a little, so as she couldn't pretend
not to know it was there. But she didn't seem to notice.

`Ah, well,' I said, `I suppose I'll be on the wallaby again next week.'

`Will you, Mr Wilson?' she said. Her voice seemed very soft.

I slipped my arm round her waist, under her arm. My heart was going
like clockwork now.