No such luxury as stairs was known at Gangoil.

It stood about half a mile from the Mary River, on the edge of a creek which ran into it.
The principal edifice, that in which the Heathcotes lived, contained only one sitting-room, and a bedroom on each side of it; but in truth there was another room, very spacious, in which the family really passed their time; and this was the veranda which ran along the front and two ends of the house.

It was twelve feet broad, and, of course, of great length.

Here was clustered the rocking-chairs, and sofas, and work-tables, and very often the cradle of the family.

Here stood Mrs.Heathcote's sewing-machine, and here the master would sprawl at his length, while his wife, or his wife's sister, read to him.