His task was of course a risky one, and we used to pay him L3 each way, but he never failed us.
Now commenced a fresh period of anxious waiting, and during this time I had leisure and opportunity to study the characteristics of these Boer farmers and their wives, and to learn what a curious race they are.

Mrs.
Keeley told me a great deal of their ideas, habits, and ways, in which low cunning is combined with extreme curiosity and naive simplicity.
Many of the fathers and sons in the neighbourhood had slunk off to fight across the border, sending meanwhile their wives and daughters to call on Mrs.Keeley and condole with her in what they termed "her trouble," and to ascertain at the same time all the circumstances of the farm and domestic circle.

A curious thing happened one day.

Directly after breakfast an old shandrydan drove up with a typical Dutch family as occupants.

Mrs.Keeley, busy with household matters, pulled a long face, knowing what was before her.