" Davis !sx " she called .sx Davis appeared from the mine .sx " Joey's right , it's hopeless trying to dig like this .sx " .sx " We're going to visit Uncle John .sx " .sx " Are you ?sx " He shot an angry look at Joey .sx " You don't mind , do you ?sx " .sx " What if I do ?sx What if I say you're not to go , will it make any difference ?sx " .sx " Of course , " she said confidently .sx " It will make me wonder if I might not be better off staying there , if I'm not free to come and go as I please here .sx " She had no doubt that Joey would take her even if Davis forbade it .sx " Do you want to come with us ?sx " she asked .sx Davis didn't answer and she took his silence to mean no .sx She could not see his face , the look he gave Joey , the implied threat .sx Tanner and Bobby stood in the teeming rain , facing each other across the mouth of the mine .sx " For God's sake , Bobby , use your head .sx It's raining , the mine's half full of water and there's no gold in it anyway .sx " .sx " That's what you say .sx " .sx " That's what I know .sx " They gazed at each other for a moment , then Tanner exhaled in frustration .sx " Let's give it away , Bobby , let's try somewhere else .sx " .sx " No .sx " .sx " Please , " he said desperately .sx " I want to do this with your agreement .sx I want to cut our losses and start building a decent life , either here in a new mine , in Melbourne with a new job , or with you two in boarding school and me at sea .sx " He wiped the rain away from his face .sx " Those are the choices so make up your mind , because whether you want to or not we're giving up this useless damn hole in the ground .sx " Tanner finished angrily , but the boy had ceased to listen long before his last words .sx " Don't go back into the mine , Bobby , it's too dangerous .sx " Tanner softened his tone .sx " Fossick on the surface if you must but it's Sunday , the day of rest , a damn miserable one at that and my advice to you is to take the rest and think hard about what I've said , for I promise you I'll not stay in this place much longer .sx " .sx " What if I won't go with you ?sx " .sx " Commissioner said this claim and everything else was mine to control as long as I provided for you and Jilly .sx What will you do if I take it all and move it further up the gully or sell it and go back to Melbourne ?sx " The boy said nothing , but walked to the edge of the mine and stared at the inky waters in its depths .sx He turned and examined the rest of the claim , reduced to a sea of mud by their excavations .sx " My father saw a nugget as big as his fist .sx " He spoke slowly , enunciating each syllable clearly the way a man might if he was in pain .sx " Your father saw someone in his mine , someone who beat him to death , and in his last moments of consciousness his mind conjured up a vision of that which he most wanted to see .sx " Tanner's voice held such bitterness and grief that even the boy couldn't argue with him .sx Instead , Bobby made for the shanty , leaving Tanner alone in the mud and the rain .sx He remained there even after the boy had reached the shanty , and it shocked Joey to find him like that , a solitary figure unmoving in the pouring rain .sx " Tanner , " he called , and the figure turned slowly to face him .sx " What's wrong ?sx " Amy had recognised the sound of concern .sx " Nothing .sx " Joey gently urged the horse forward .sx " What brings you out in all this rain ?sx " Tanner asked , and there was no warmth in his voice .sx Joey helped Amy down from the horse , and she extended her hands to Tanner , but he didn't take them .sx " Perhaps we should go inside .sx " .sx " Are the children there ?sx " Amy asked .sx " Yes .sx " .sx " Then I'd rather talk out there for the moment .sx " Tanner glanced at Joey , hoping to glean some idea of what was going on from his usually expressive face .sx " It's awful wet , " Joey ventured .sx " Then you go in , " Amy said .sx " It's best we talk alone .sx " Joey left and Amy reached again for Tanner's hands , and this time he responded .sx " I wish you'd come and see me sometimes .sx " She squeezed his hand .sx " The track to the water holes comes quite near here , you must know when Davis isn't there .sx " .sx " And if I didn't you could always get Joey to drop off one of those beads Davis made you to let me know the coast is clear .sx " She bowed her head and Tanner instantly regretted his words .sx There was an awkward silence , then Amy felt behind her neck and undid the chain from which hung the small cross and ring that Tanner had given her .sx She took Tanner's hand and placed them in it .sx She heard his sharp intake of breath and realised that he had misinterpreted her gesture .sx She maintained her grip on his hand .sx " These belong to Catherine , not me .sx " She smiled at him .sx " They meant so much when you gave them to me , a reassurance , a promise , and I know they'll mean the same to Catherine , perhaps more .sx " She waited for him to respond , wishing that she could see his face .sx " Maybe the ring , " he said , " but keep the cross .sx " .sx " No , it was your mother's , even Jilly has more right to it than I. " .sx " I'd sooner you had it .sx " .sx " I can't take it .sx " .sx " Do you want no part of me ?sx " he asked bitterly , and her brave smile crumbled .sx " I never meant to hurt you .sx " Her lips trembled .sx " I wanted , I wanted - " She stopped , unable to explain .sx " What do you want , Amy ?sx " .sx " I want you to be happy , I want us all to be happy .sx I want you to get out of this mine and away from those awful children .sx I want you to be with Catherine and to be happy .sx I want you to be my Uncle John , I want to call you that and if I marry Davis I want you to be the one who gives me away .sx " Her voice faltered and ceased .sx In the silence that followed Tanner could only think of one thing that she'd said , one phrase , one word - if she married Davis .sx 'If' , not 'when' .sx He looked down at her standing before him in the icy rain , her hair sodden and matted clinging to her face and neck , her saturated dress hanging about her slight frame .sx Her face was raised up to him , but the rain made it impossible for him to tell if she was crying .sx He believed she was .sx She looked worse than she had that first day in London , a child miserably reaching out to the closest thing she had to a parent .sx Other things she'd said began to register in his mind .sx " Those awful children , " a sign of jealousy perhaps , a kind of sibling rivalry , and her blessing for himself and Catherine .sx His grip tightened over the cross and the ring , a lovely gesture and one that he'd misread .sx It finally struck him how much the animosity between himself and Davis had hurt her , for if she had objected to Catherine the way he had to Davis it would have torn him apart .sx He put his arm around her .sx " I'd be honoured to stand up with you if you ever get married and I couldn't imagine you calling me anything but Uncle John .sx " He guided her to the shanty .sx " How did you know about Catherine ?sx " .sx " Joey told me .sx " .sx " Joey , " he said thoughtfully .sx " He said nothing would come of it because you weren't the type to push and Catherine was too frightened .sx " .sx " A very perceptive man , our Joey .sx " .sx " Why should she be frightened of you ?sx " .sx " I don't think it's me in particular .sx " They paused at the shanty door .sx " I think she's been alone too long , hurt too often , to let anyone close to her .sx " He ushered her through the door .sx " Will the ring and the cross help ?sx " .sx " They might .sx " .sx On the rear wall of the shanty was a fireplace .sx It had not been necessary to use it during the summer months , nor even desirable , for it smoked constantly and , although it gave off little heat , it would have made the shanty intolerably stuffy .sx Worst of all it was totally , impractical for cooking and no one could use it without getting burnt , least of all Amy .sx Necessity had forced Tanner to light the fire and he guided Amy towards it , scolding her mildly for coming out in such weather .sx Joey was already squatting by the hearth , attempting to get a billy to boil .sx He smiled at them .sx " Might be an idea if Amy stays here for a few days , 'til we get a bit of dry weather .sx " .sx " No , " Amy began apprehensively .sx " It'll be all right , " Joey interrupted .sx " Davis won't like it .sx " Tanner shared Amy's misgivings .sx " He'll understand , " Joey insisted .sx " Our tent's running with water , the blankets are soaked , the food's ruined and the fire's out .sx I need a few days to build some bunks and a cook house where we can keep a fire going .sx " .sx Tanner looked at him sceptically .sx " You think Davis will agree to Amy staying up here while you do all that ?sx " .sx " It's not up to him .sx " Joey glanced at Amy .sx " Would you like to stay ?sx " Tanner asked her .sx " Just 'til things dry out a bit ?sx " .sx " I should go back and talk to him first , " she said .sx Tanner shook his head .sx " You can't keep on traipsing about in this rain .sx " Amy moved uneasily , she looked cold and miserable , unwilling to leave but afraid to stay .sx " Joey , would you mind going back and getting Davis ?sx If your food's ruined and your fire's out he'll appreciate a hot meal , and maybe after he's had one he'll see the logic in Amy staying here for a while .sx " Joey nodded .sx " Bring back the blankets and Amy's clothes , and we'll see if we can dry them out .sx " Joey made to rise .sx " Have your tea first .sx " .sx Jilly brought the mugs , beaming at Joey as she handed them to him .sx " I've missed you , " Joey said .sx She turned her head coyly and snuggled close to Tanner .sx " Well , I'll be damned .sx " .sx " What ?sx " Amy asked .sx " He's stolen my best girl , whisked her away from under me nose .sx " Jilly giggled and Amy guessed that she had preferred Tanner to Joey .sx She smiled genuinely , pleased by the change in Jilly and more than willing to forgive her for her past transgressions .sx Bobby was another matter .sx She frowned as she thought of him .sx They were too close in age for her to accept the excuse of youth for his behaviour and too far apart in ethics , intellect and maturity for her go have any understanding of it .sx Jilly touched Amy's hand the way one might touch a deaf person to get their attention .sx " Uncle John's going to take me to see Mummy and Daddy's grave .sx " .sx Amy didn't know how to respond but the child sounded pleased , so she said :sx " That's nice .sx " .sx " We're going back to Melbourne and I'm going to have a proper bed .sx " .sx " That's nice , " Amy said again but with less conviction , for Tanner's departure was the last thing she wanted .sx Joey and Davis returned sooner than expected , bringing armfuls of wet blankets and clothes .sx Davis dumped his goods down in front of the fire .sx " I've brought what food I could salvage too .sx " He smiled at everyone .sx " It's nice of you to ask us back here .sx " Tanner and Joey exchanged glances , but neither said anything .sx " It'll only take us a day or two to fix things up .sx " He'd shed his wet coat and was sitting next to Amy , using her hands to warm himself .sx " I wish I could get hold of a decent length of canvas , make a roof over the tent and extend it out like a verandah so that it covered the camp fire as well .sx " He looked round the shanty as if searching for items that might be of use to him .sx