“Well, you might as well take it that way,” laughed Connie.  “I can’t bear people who take everything seriously.”

“There was one thing I wanted you to do,” said Ned, after a while.  “Nellie promised me years ago to tell me if ever she was hard up.  I’ve got a few pounds ahead and what my horses are worth.  If anything happens can I have it sent down to you so that you can give it to her if she needs it?”

Connie thought for a moment, “You’d better not,” she answered.  “We’ll see that Nellie’s all right.  I think she’d starve rather than touch what you’ll need afterwards.”

“Perhaps so,” said Ned.  “You know best about that.  I must go now,” rising.

“Can’t you wait for dinner?” asked Connie.  “Harry will be here then and you’d have time to catch the train.”

“I’ve a little business to do before,” said Ned.  “I promised one of our fellows to see his brother, who lives near the station.”

“Oh!  You must have something to eat first,” insisted Connie.  “You’ll miss your dinner probably.  That won’t do.”  So he waited.

They had finished the hurriedly prepared meal, which she ate with him so that he might feel at home, when Stratton came in.

“He’s always just in time,” explained Connie, when the greetings were over.  “He gives me the cold shivers whenever we’re going to catch a train.  Say ‘good-bye’ to Ned now, and don’t delay him!  I’ll tell you all he said, all but the secrets.  He’s going to Queensland to-night and hasn’t a minute to spare.”

“I’m sorry you can’t stay overnight,” said Harry, heartily.  “I’d like to have a long talk but I suppose my fine society lady here hasn’t wasted time.”

“I’ve talked enough for two, you may depend upon it,” announced Connie, as they went to the front door together, chatting.

“Well, good-bye, if you must go,” said Harry, holding Ned by both hands.  “And remember, whatever happens, you’ve got good friends here, not fair-weather friends either.”

“He must go, Harry,” cried Connie.  “I’ve kept him just to see you.  You’ll make him miss the next boat.  Come, Ned!  Good-bye!”

Ned turned to her, holding out his hand.

“Bend down!” she said, suddenly, her lips smiling, her eyes filling.  “You’re so tall.”

He bent to her mechanically, not understanding.  She took his head between her hands and kissed him on both cheeks.

“The republican kiss!” she cried, trying to laugh, offering her own cheek to him as he stood flushed and confused.  Something choked him as he stooped to her again, touching the fair face with his lips, reverentially.

“Good-bye!” she exclaimed, her mouth working, grasping his hands.  “Our hearts are with you all up there, but, oh, don’t let your good heart destroy you for no use!” Then she burst into tears and, turning to her husband, flung herself into the loving arms that opened for her.  “It’s beginning again, Harry.  It’s beginning again.  Will it never end, I wonder?  And it’s always the best it takes from us, Harry, the bravest and the best.”  And she sobbed in his arms, quietly, resignedly, as she had sobbed, Ned recollected, when Geisner thundered forth that triumphant Marseillaise.