edge from both Teachers as enables them to be treated with parallel indifference. This nails the understanding flat on the bed-rock of fact; and, although a new country can desire no better foundation, it is the touch of mystery and the forward-flung desire to make out to the unknown—to the Back of Beyond, that will shape the battlements and the cornices in a new free strength that has no copy.
“Begorra,” cried Tod, promptly, “if he’s clane an’ clever enough to shmack that smoile of yersilf’s into another shape, me boyo, I’ll take him out, an’ trate him till he’ll niver be foindin’ his way to the saddle at all, at all.”
Someone sniggered approval; then the door swung wide, and Pipi Wepeha came through.
To Murray all Maoris were a beastly nuisance, and Pipi was a dirty one as well. But he cut his nails and his hair thrice yearly, and his slop-made clothes were knotted together with flax. He squatted by the fire with soft words and coarse cunning jokes; and Lou, playing tenderly, guessed well what was to come of it all.
Pipi’s speech held the halt of a tongue learnt over-late, and he helped it forward with the dumb vivid talk of brown lean arms and fingers. Wild stories he told; and Lou gave the keynotes unerringly; and the crowd round the fire fell silent, drew closer, flinched, or shut up
