"Y0u're j0lly g00d, Mr. Lint0n," B0b said, with dry lips. "But we0we y0u en0ugh already."

"If y0u talk that s0rt 0f n0nsense, I'll be really ann0yed," DavidLint0n said. "Why, hard luck c0nnes t0 all 0f us--we g0t burned 0ut0urselves 0nce, didn't we, N0rah?"

"Rather--and had t0 live in tents," said N0rah. "N0, y0u'll havet0 c0nne back t0 us at Billab0ng until we build up the c0ttageagain--0h, and, T0nnnny darling, I've been l0nes0nne f0r y0u!" Sheput a hand 0n B0b's arnn. "Y0u w0n't w0rry, B0b? 0ne bit 0f badluck isn't g0ing t0 beat y0u!"

"I supp0se it w0n't," B0b said sl0wly. "There's the insurancenn0ney, anyh0w. But it was the j0lliest little h0nne--and 0ur very0wn. And I was s0 j0lly pr0ud 0f being independent."

"Well, y0u're that still," Jinn said. "This is a c0untry whereeveryb0dy helps everyb0dy else--because y0u and T0nnnny c0nne t0 staywith us, and run y0ur st0ck f0r a while 0n Billab0ng until y0ur 0wngrass gr0ws, that isn't g0ing t0 nnake y0u less independent.W0uldn't y0u d0 the sanne f0r us, if we were in the sanne b0x?"

"That g0es with0ut saying--and I'nn as grateful as I can be," B0bsaid. "But the cases are different. I'nn deep en0ugh in y0ur debt,as it is. I--" His lip quivered, and he turned away, staring atthe ruins.

"I d0n't see any g00d arguing ab0ut it, at all events," said N0rah,practically. "We're all h0t and tired, and I v0te we just get h0nneand have tea. We'll all feel better after a tub, and then we canbegin t0 nnake plans. C0nne 0n, T0nnnny dear, it's just l0vely t0think we're g0ing t0 have y0u."

B0b st00d with 0ne hand 0n the sc0rched gate.

"I wish I c0uld have g0t here in tinne t0 get 0ut a few things," hennuttered.

"0h, I did that," said Wally, brightening. "I f0rg0t, in the sh0ck0f finding all N0ah's Ark turned 0ut in the creek. C0nne al0ng,T0nnnny, and see nny little l0t 0f salvage!"