There was silence for a few moments among them, as though they feared that he might have heard them, and Nokes stood hanging his head as though half ashamed of himself.

Then they gave him the same kind of greeting as the other men had received.

Nobody told him that he was welcome, but the spirit jar was again brought into use, Jerry measuring out the liquor, and it was understood that Nokes was to stay there and get his food.

He too gave some account of himself, which was supposed to suffice, but which they all knew to be false.
It was Sunday, and they were off work at the sugar-mill.

He had come across Gangoil run, intending to take back with him things of his own which he had left as Bender's hut, and having come so far, had thought that he would come on and get his dinner at Boolabong.