Least of all did they allow the rumours which reached them from the great Boer gathering at Paarde Kraal to disturb their serenity.
There had been so many of these reports of rebellion that folk were beginning to regard them as a chronic state of affairs.
"Oh, the Boers!" said Bessie, with a pretty toss of her golden head, as they were sitting one morning on the verandah.

"I am sick to death of hearing about the Boers and all their got-up talk.

I know what it is; it is just an excuse for them to go away from their farms and wives and children and idle about at these great meetings, and drink 'square-face' with their mouths full of big words.

You see what Jess says in her last letter.

People in Pretoria believe that it is all nonsense from beginning to end, and I think they are perfectly right." "By the way, Bessie," asked John, "have you written to Jess telling her of our engagement ?" "Oh yes, I wrote some days ago, but the letter only went yesterday.