Chapter 11

           LukeboughtMeggieadiamondengagementring,modestbutquitepretty,itstwinquarter-caratstonessetinapairofplatinumhearts.ThebannswerecalledfornoononSaturday,August25th,intheHolyCrossChurch.ThiswouldbefollowedbyafamilydinnerattheHotelImperial,towhichMrs.Smith,MinnieandCatwerenaturallyinvited,thoughJimsandPatsyhadbeenleftinSydneyafterMeggiesaidfirmlythatshecouldn’tseethepointinbringingthemsixhundredmilestowitnessaceremonytheydidn’treallyunderstand.Shehadreceivedtheirlettersofcongratulations;Jims’slong,ramblingandchildlike,Patsy’sconsistingofthreewords,"Lotsofluck."TheyknewLuke,ofcourse,havingriddentheDroghedapaddockswithhimduringtheirvacations.

           Mrs.SmithwasgrievedatMeggie’sinsistenceonassmallanaffairaspossible;shehadhopedtoseetheonlygirlmarriedonDroghedawithflagsflyingandcymbalsclashing,daysofcelebration.ButMeggiewassoagainstafusssheevenrefusedtowearbridalregalia;shewouldbemarriedinadaydressandanordinaryhat,whichcoulddoubleafterwardsashertravelingoutfit.

           "Darling,I’vedecidedwheretotakeyouforourhoneymoon,"Lukesaid,slippingintoachairoppositeherstheSundayaftertheyhadmadetheirweddingplans.

           "Where?"

           "NorthQueensland.WhileyouwereatthedressmakerIgottalkingtosomechapsintheImperialbar,andtheyweretellingmethere’smoneytobemadeupincanecountry,ifaman’sstrongandnotafraidofhardwork."