I’ve heard, it looks to be the best year on this station.
Gordon.
Fine. We can’t have too much wool and mutton this year.
(Roto comes on from left second Entrance, somewhat staggering under two pails of water. He is an old Maori, with straight black hair turning white, and a few tatoo marks on his face. He has high cheek bones, a broad nose, and full lips, but is light brown in colour and very intelligent and fine in expression. He wears a short pair of pants, and a piece of fine matting on his shoulders, his scanty shirt is open at the neck and a string with a carved green jade charm is partly seen.)
Roto.
Here is the water for Miss Nora’s tea, Boss.
1st Shep.
(To 2nd Shep.) She has an healthier thirst than yours.
Gordon.
(Busying himself smoothing a seat of fern.) She’ll be tired after that long ride.
1st Shep.
The other lady’ll be worse. She’s not native born like Miss Nora.
Gordon.
(Quickly.) Her fine lady cousin! She’s coming, of course. I’d forgotten! Here, you chaps, get that place straight. (Indicates the shelter, which shows a disorder of blankets, etc.) What is this sheep doing here?
1st Shep.
Her leg broke when she tried to push through over a rocky bit. I have tethered her down. The young lady may like to pat her or tie a ribbon round her neck perhaps.
Gordon.
(Grinning.) You old fool. All right. Leave her. Go and straighten things up a bit in the shelter. ’Tis like a pig-stye.
(A clatter of horses hoofs, shouts of “Whoa there, Nellie. Here we are,” etc., is heard without. Two Girls with riding hats and whips ENTER front right wing.
Nora Lee is dainty with light hair and a rather sunburnt face and neck. She has pale lashes; she is petite and pretty and rather self-assured. She advances laughing.)
Nora.
Here we are!
Gordon.
(Springing up and limping hurriedly to meet her, taking off his hat.) Oh, Nora, I’m glad you’ve come.
Nora.
Where is Robert?
Gordon.
Out with the men. He’ll be back by tea-time.
(Loveday stands a little back looking round and waiting. She is taller than Nora; a splendidly built, dark-haired and beautiful woman, with a clear skin, deep searching eyes, regular features. She walks like a Queen and has a deep-toned, but soft and thrilling voice. She is all in white.)
Nora.
This is my cousin, Loveday Lewisham, Gordon.
(Loveday smiles, comes forward and shakes hands with Gordon.)
You know I told you all about her, and how she broke down with war-work in England and is going to make her home with us for six months. You know.
Gordon.
I do know. (Smiles.) I wish you welcome, Miss Lewisham.
Nora.
Loveday.
Gordon.
Yes. This is a friendly country. My name is Gordon.
Loveday.
How beautiful that view is. And what a ride we had. Three hours of fairyland!
Nora.
Oh, that’s nothing! Let us show her everything. Where’s old Roto? She wants to see a Maori. And where is Robert?
Gordon.
I’ll coo-ee for Robert.
(His coo-ee is long and penetrating so that it re-echoes.)
And there is Roto. Hi. Come along, Roto. Miss Nora wants to show you off.
(Roto advances from shelter, which is now in better order, the blankets piled up, etc.)
Roto.
(Grinning.) Here, Miss Nora.
Nora.
Good-day, Roto. See, Loveday. This is a real live Maori. Nothing wonderful after all!
Loveday.
Oh, how do you do?
Roto.
Finely, Miss.
Loveday.
(Smiling winningly.) You are not nearly so terrifying as I expected!
Roto.
(Grinning, pleased.) Maoris not allowed to be terrible now, Miss.
Loveday.
That is a shame. I’d so much rather be a savage myself. What do you do now they won’t let you be a savage any more?
Roto.
Help with the sheep and cook.
Loveday.
(Stooping forward and taking hold of Roto’s green jade charm hanging on its long string round his neck.) And what is that queer thing you wear round your neck?
Nora.
(Hastily.) A jade charm—these natives often wear them. They are very superstitious.
Gordon.
The Maoris believe in all sorts of charms and magic and spirits. They have a legend about these forests, for instance, that a goddess of wisdom lives in these hill tops and is a tree by day and a white woman at night.
Loveday.
(Her eyes sparkling). Have you seen her?
Gordon.
Not yet—but sometimes—
Loveday.
But sometimes—go on—do tell me—
Gordon.
Sometimes after a day alone in these forests, at sunset, when the heavens seem opening, one half imagines Wisdom is just behind one, slipping between the trees—I (hesitates).
Loveday.
What an enchanting country. Tell me—
(Sounds of arrival disturb them. Robert Hyde enters. He is like Gordon, but much sturdier. He is very strong and manly, with a more sensual and less spiritual face. A very good fellow.)
Nora.
Here’s Robert. Robert! I have brought Loveday. This is Loveday Lewisham. She arrived last week, when you were out here. She would come so as to see a camp before you break it up. She wants to see everything.
(Robert and Loveday shake hands. Robert is evidently much impressed.)
Robert.
I’ll show her. (Goes over towards fire, and points to sheep enclosures at back.) Do you see those? That’s just the beginning of them. We have a rare good lot of sheep this year.
Loveday.
I am glad. We need everything good we can get this year.
Robert.
We need everything we can get every year.
Loveday.
But