To-night he was in the latter mood and this incensed Lady Bridget.
'I've been writing up the log,' he began in a surly, aggressive tone, 'and I thought I'd better make a note of Wombo and that gin having come to the head-station, in case of there being trouble with the Blacks.' 'Why should there be trouble with the Blacks ?' she asked, in manner equally unconciliatory.
'Well, ye know--though, I daresay, it wouldn't seem of much consequence to you--Wombo's gone agen the laws of the tribe, and that's a serious matter.

If they know he's skulking here under protection, they'll be spearing the cattle, and the Boss won't like that.' 'I'll explain to Mr McKeith,' said Lady Bridget haughtily.
'Well, I reckon it's best not to keep them on the head-station against the Boss's orders,' persisted Ninnis.
Lady Bridget set her little white teeth.

'Naturally, Mr McKeith's orders don't apply to ME--as I had to tell Mrs Hensor.' 'Mrs Hensor knows the Boss better than most people,' said Ninnis, at which Lady Bridget flashed out.
'We need not discuss that question, Mr Ninnis.' Ninnis' jaw stiffened underneath his shaggy goatee.
'Well, I guess you know your own business, Mrs McKeith, and it's up to you to square things with the Boss.' Lady Bridget reared her small form and bent her head with great stateliness.
'But I'll just say, though,' went on Ninnis, 'that I hear Harris of the police is coming along.

And what Harris doesn't think he knows about the heel of the law being kept on Blacks--and every other darned unit in the creation scheme'-- muttered Ninnis in parenthesis--'ain't entered in the Almighty's Log-book.' Ninnis expectorated over the veranda railings--a habit of his that jarred on Lady Bridget.
'Well, what about Harris ?' 'He's had his eye on Wombo and would be glad of an opportunity to best him--on account of a little affair about a colt Wombo rode for him at the last Tunumburra races--and lost the stakes--out of spite, Harris declares.' 'Oh, I know about that--and I told Mr Harris what I thought about his treatment of the Blacks.

But he can't punish Wombo if I choose to have him here.