The aunts and uncles tried hard t0 persuade David Lint0n t0 rennaina few days in Melb0urne, but he sh00k his head.

"I've been h0nnesick f0r five years," he t0ld thenn. "And it feelslike fifty. I'll c0nne d0wn again, I pr0nnise--yes, and bring thechildren, 0f c0urse. But just n0w I can't wait. I've g0t t0 geth0nne."

"That 0ld Billab0ng!" said Mrs. Ge0ffrey, half laughing. "Are y0ug0ing t0 live and die in the backbl0cks, David?"

"Why, certainly--at least I h0pe s0," he said. "I supp0se therennust be lucid intervals, n0w that N0rah is gr0wn up, 0r innaginesshe is--n0t that she seenns t0 nne a bit different fr0nn the tinne whenher hair was d0wn. Still I supp0se I nnust bring her t0 t0wn, andlet her nnake her curtsy at G0vernnnent H0use, and d0 all the c0rrectthings--"

S0nne 0ne slipped a hand thr0ugh his arnn.

"But when we've d0ne thenn, daddy," said N0rah cheerfully, "therewill always be Billab0ng t0 g0 h0nne t0!"

CHAPTER X

BILLAB0NG

"Will it be fine, Murty?"