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           Astandofmagnificentghostgumswithpallidwhitetrunksanddriftingthinleaveshangingseventyfeetabovethegroundshadedthehousefromthepitilesssun,theirbrancheswreathedinbrilliantmagentawherebougainvillaeavinesgrewintertwinedwiththem.EventhoseindispensableOutbackmonstrositiesthewatertankswerethicklyclothedinhardynativevines,rosesandwistaria,andthusmanagedtolookmoredecorativethanfunctional.ThankstothelateMichaelCarson’spassionforDroghedahomestead,hehadbeenlavishinthematterofwatertanks;rumorhaditDroghedacouldaffordtokeepitslawnsgreenanditsflowerbedsbloomingthoughnorainfellintenyears.

           AsoneapproacheddowntheHomePaddockthehouseanditsghostgumstooktheeyefirst,butthenonewasawareofmanyotheryellowsandstonehousesofonestorybehinditandtoeachside,interlockingwiththemainstructurebymeansofroofedrampssmotheredincreepers.Awidegraveldrivewaysucceededthewheelrutsofthetrack,curvingtoacircularparkingareaatonesideofthebighouse,butalsocontinuingbeyonditandoutofsightdowntowheretherealbusinessofDroghedalay:thestockyards,theshearingshed,thebarns.PrivatelyFatherRalphpreferredthegiantpeppertreeswhichshadedalltheseoutbuildingsandtheirattendantactivitiestotheghostgumsofthemainhouse.Peppertreesweredensewithpale-greenfrondsandalivewiththesoundofbees,justtherightlazysortoffoliageforanOutbackstation.