The back veranda of the new house, with steps ascending to it, in the middle, the Old Humpey, with its veranda, along one side, the kitchen and store building along the other, and a rough slab and bark outhouse beyond it.
Native-cucumber vines and other creepers partially closed in the older verandas.

In the centre of the square was a small flower bed with a flowering shrub in the middle.
Lady Bridget brought the whisky decanter from the dining room to the back veranda, and McKeith mounted the steps, the mailman remaining beside them.

A canvas water-bag, oozing moisture, hung from the rafters, and there were tumblers on a table beneath it.

McKeith took the decanter from his wife's hand, too preoccupied, it seemed, even to notice the little satirical smile on her lips.

She was thinking how funny it seemed that she should be playing Hebe to Harry the Blower.
She soon realised, however, that serious things had happened.