A Quintette in Queensland

They came rushing along the path and up the verandah steps at full tilt. Dym led, of course. She was nearly two years younger than Adam, but when she chose, she could outpace him every time. On the other hand, she was apt to give up sooner, while Adam could go on running at his own pace for a long time. Dad called them the Hare and the Tortoise. Guy brought up the rear, puffing like a grampus. He was a round tub of a boy, and preferred books or his stamp collection to the hardier sports of his elder brother and sister. No teasing ever ruffled him; it was rarely that he was seen out of temper.At the sound of the flying footsteps, a tall, slim woman suddenly appeared in the doorway, her eyebrows raised in mock surprise.“You’re early, you three. How’s that?—Woa—steady!” She put out her hands to fend off the wild rush. Then, as they slowed down and crowded round her, eagerly exclaiming, “Are they here? Have they come yet?” she broke into a peal of laughter. “My dears, they aren’t due for another two hours; and I didn’t expect you three for at least an hour. There’s plenty of time for you to make yourselves fit to be seen and have a good meal. I won’t ask you to wait, after your long journey.”