Uncle first said he was glad to see I had the spirit of an Australian, and then threatened to put my nose above my chin if I failed to behave properly.  Grannie remarked that I might have the spirit of an Australian, but I had by no means the manners of a lady; while aunt Helen ventured a wish that I might expend all my superfluous spirits on the way, so that I would be enabled to deport myself with a little decorum when arrived at the racecourse.

We went at a great pace; lizards and goannas scampered out of the way in dozens, and, clambering trees, eyed us unblinkingly as we passed.  Did we see a person or vehicle a tiny speck ahead of us—­in a short time they were as far away in the background.

“Please, uncle, let me drive,” I requested.

“Couldn’t now.  Your grannie can’t sit in the back-seat—­neither could I—­and look like a tame cockatoo while you sat in front.  You ask Harry to let you drive him.  I bet he’ll consent; he’s sure to be in a sulky with a spare scat on spec.  We’re sure to overtake him in a few minutes.”

There was a vehicle in the distance which proved to be from Five-Bob Downs, but as we overhauled it, it was the drag, and not a sulky.  Harold occupied the driver’s seat, and the other occupants were all ladies.  I noticed the one beside him was wearing a very big hat, all ruffles, flowers, and plumes.

“Shall I pull up and get you a seat?” inquired uncle Jay-Jay.

“No, no, no.”

The boss of Five-Bob drew to his side of the road, and when we had passed uncle began to tease: 

“Got faint-hearted, did you?  The flower-garden on that woman’s hat corked your chances altogether.  Never mind, don’t you funk; I’ll see that you have a fair show.  I’ll get you a regular cart-wheel next time I go to town, and we’ll trim it up with some of old Barney’s tail.  If that won’t fetch him, I’m sure nothing will.”

Before we got to the racecourse Barney went lame through getting a stone in his hoof; this caused a delay which enabled the Five-Bob trap to catch us, and we pulled rein a little distance apart at the same time, to alight.

Mr Beecham’s groom went to his horses’ heads while Harold himself assisted his carriageful of ladies to set foot on the ground.  Aunt Helen and grannie went to talk to them, but I stayed with uncle Jay-Jay while he took the horses out.  Somehow I was feeling very disappointed.  I had expected Harold Beecham to be alone.  He had attended on me so absolutely everywhere I had met him lately, that I had unconsciously grown to look upon him as mine exclusively; and now, seeing he would belong to his own party of ladies for the day, things promised to be somewhat flat without him.

“I told that devil of a Joe to be sure and turn up as soon as I arrived.  I wanted him to water the horses, but I can’t see him anywhere—­the infernal, crawling, doosed idiot!” ejaculated uncle Julius.

“Never mind, uncle, let him have his holiday.  I suppose he’d like to have time to spoon with his girl.  I can easily water the horses.”