He drew his fingersexpressively down his wasted
cheeks. Ah, youmust think Im as evil as yourself.
And Im going to get it, he added with alittle more
spirit. It had nearly trapped him at Murrumburra; it was tempting him withthe same
delusion now. Againthe irresistible desire TO KNOW overcame him.
But, after all, how little the historian
canunderstand.
Its all aquestion what he can get with the least
trouble.
She walked to the edge of the veranda and leant her
face against apost to cool it.
The immense stillness of a dry midwinter layover
the bush.
Gursey took the precaution notto sleep at all.
Whats this about you and Pat OConnor and that gang, he askedoffhand. See that, he
cried, as ifdemonstrating a subtle act of diabolical injustice to an
audience.
Youretalking in the dark, he said
impatiently.
I wouldnt care to see Joe paying me a call.
Jesuitical reasoning that collapsed when Emma had made it clearjust WHY he should
send Gursey away. Atthe door of his room he paused and looked back. Cabell turned
his head away and scowled through the window. But Gursey seemed relieved to be
questioned about McGovern. Havent I told you he doesntwant Gurseys money? They say
youretalking about going back to England.
Im not trying to get anything out of
YOU.
Denniss paper, the Hawk,had just published its
exposure of Emma and her connection withBlack Jem. The piping of the curlew sounded
from faraway now, distorted to a macabre wail by the distance. But bushfires delayed
him on the road,and by the time he arrived the situation had quite changed. Now,
theres afine chance to get that sod on the hip.
Strangely the sound of Emmas firmstep going about
comforted him.
Im ready toforget the past if it forgets me.