He perceived, however, that Miss Chris was troubled in some way, and all his romantic chivalrous feelings were stirred, and his determination to spare her at all costs was strengthened again.

Looking at the pair, and remembering the consolation he had derived from his mother's strong embrace, the boy wondered what peculiar virtue lay in that kindly bosom that seemed to make it the natural refuge of the afflicted; and, wondering, he stole out and left the two together.
When the women of Waddy had anything exceptional to talk about they talked amazingly, and on this particular Monday there was so much of interest to be discussed that even the most voluble could only do justice to the subjects by neglecting domestic duties and devoting themselves to back-gate arguments.

Harry Hardy's accident was considered and debated from many points of view.

Harry was twice reported dead during the morning--on the authority of Mrs.Ben Steven and Mrs.Sloan--but this was contradicted by Mrs.Justin, who declared that the young man still breathed, but was suffering from many and various injuries which she alone was able to minutely describe.

Then Mrs.Hardy arrived home from Yarraman, and it became known that the injuries were not likely to prove mortal; so the subject lost interest and was abandoned in favour of Richard Haddon and his blood thirsty gang.