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           Hewishedhorseswereasfastandefficientascars,becauseonecouldopenandclosegatesfromthebackofahorsewithoutdismounting.

           "Nothingisgivenwithoutadisadvantageinit,"hesaid,pattingthedashboardofthenewDaimlerandstartingoffdownthelastmileofthegrassy,treelessHomePaddock,thegatefirmlyboltedbehindhim.

           EventoanIrishmanusedtocastlesandmansions,thisAustralianhomesteadwasimposing.Droghedawastheoldestandthebiggestpropertyinthedistrict,andhadbeenendowedbyitslatedotingownerwithafittingresidence.Builtofbutter-yellowsandstoneblockshand-hewninquarriesfivehundredmileseastward,thehousehadtwostoriesandwasconstructedonausterelyGeorgianlines,withlarge,many-panedwindowsandawide,iron-pillaredverandarunningallthewayarounditsbottomstory.Gracingthesidesofeverywindowwereblackwoodenshutters,notmerelyornamentalbutuseful;intheheatofsummertheywerepulledclosedtokeeptheinteriorcool.

           Thoughitwasautumnnowandthespindlingvinewasgreen,inspringthewistariawhichhadbeenplantedthedaythehousewasfinishedfiftyyearsbeforewasasolidmassoflilacplumes,riotingallovertheouterwallsandtheverandaroof.Severalacresofmeticulouslyscythedlawnsurroundedthehouse,strewnwithformalgardensevennowfullofcolorfromroses,wallflowers,dahliasandmarigolds.