The boy had not
betrayed any actual vices; and time might be trusted to knock the
bluster out of him. With this reflection Mahony dismissed Ned from his
mind. He had more important things to think of, chief among which was
his own state with regard to Ned's sister. And during the fortnight that
followed he went about making believe to weigh this matter, to view it
from every coign; for it did not suit him, even in secret, to confess to
the vehemence with which, when he much desired a thing, his temperament
knocked flat the hurdles of reason. The truth was, his mind was made up
--and had been, all along. At the earliest possible opportunity, he was
going to ask Polly to be his wife.
Doubts beset him of course. How could he suppose that a girl who knew
nothing of him, who had barely seen him, would either want or consent to
marry him? And even if--for "if's" were cheap--she did say yes, would
it be fair of him to take her out of a comfortable home, away from
friends--such as they were!--of her own sex, to land her in these
crude surroundings, where he did not know a decent woman to bear her
company? Yet there was something to be said for him, too. He was very
lonely. Now that Purdy had gone he was reduced, for society, to the Long
Jims and Ococks of the place. What would he not give, once more to have
a refined companion at his side? Certainly marriage might postpone the
day on which he hoped to shake the dust of Australia off his feet.
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