“Visitor come tree minutes ago, Missy Katie,” Martha informed the Darling of the Darling. “Mine tinkit him plurry nice man. Lor—here he come!”
The huge woman rolled off towards her kitchen, and turning, Kate saw Dugdale through the vine leaves nearly running towards the veranda steps. Her heart almost stopped its beating, then raced with sledgehammer strokes.
And when he stood before her, when his eyes became accustomed to the shadows, he saw her lovely-face lit with wonder, with yearning, with love unmasked. And without a word between them, he took her in his trembling arms, and heard her sigh rapturously before his lips found hers.
Glossary
Billabong— Inland pool
Billy, Billycan— Bush teapot
Bonzer— Splendid
Boxed— Mixed
Brownie— Bush cake, no eggs or butter
Buck— Aboriginal man
Bushed— Lost in the bush
Damper— Bush bread
Dingo— Wild bush dog
Dinkum— Honest, proper, correct
Galah— Rose-breasted cockatoo
Gin— Aboriginal woman, lubra
Goodo— All right
Humpy— Bush hut, whirlie
Jackeroo— Station apprentice
John— Policeman
Kirras— Boomerang for throwing
Lubra— Aboriginal woman, young gin
Murrawirrie— Boomerang for striking
Outlaw— Unbroken or vicious horse
Planted— Buried
Plurry— Very
Snifter— A drink (Alcoholic)
Squatter— Station owner
Station— Large cattle or sheep farm, ranch
Sundowner— Tramp
Swag— Bushman’s roll, bundle, or pack, containing necessaries
Tucker— Food
Waddy— War-club, walking stick
Walkabout— To go walkabout is to go on tramp, holiday, etc.
Whirlie— Bush hut, humpy
Wongium— Throwing boomerang that returns to the Thrower
Wowzer— Religious fanatic, killjoy