XIX 
TYPE OF SETTLER REQUIRED 
191 
Luncheon will be at noon, and at this meal it is likely 
that some neighbour may drop in to ask for the loan 
of some tools or to arrange for some joint wagon to go 
into town to take in produce or bring out stores or 
implements, or with news of lion or buffalo for a 
Sunday’s jaunt. At four o’clock the gangs knock off 
and tools and implements are replaced. Tea is taken 
and afterwards till dark is the hour for recreation. 
This may take the form of gardening or a game of 
lawn tennis. It is not unlikely that there is a pony in 
training for the farmers’ race at the next meeting, 
perhaps a couple of polo ponies to be exercised, or 
possibly the larder may want replenishing. Darkness 
falls all too quickly and at 6.30 a bath and change into 
pyjamas is the order of the day. At 7 dinner—soup, 
buck, partridge and pudding, not by any means forget¬ 
ting whiskey and a glass of port. Then with a pipe 
comes the writing of a letter or two, the filling in of 
the day book and possibly the balancing of accounts. 
At nine o’clock, healthily tired, we call to our dog and 
turn in. 
Not a very exciting day, you may say. Perhaps 
not, at all events to read of; but entrancing enough to 
the man who sees his holding steadily grow, watches 
his crop spring up and grow ripe, struggles monthly 
with the elements, with insect perils, with possibilities 
of disease among his stock; struggles and usually 
wins through. 
