Miles Franklin

“ I left uncle and went in quest of grannie, who, by this, was beyond the other side of the course, fully a quarter of a mile away. Going in her direction I met Joe Archer, one of the Five-Bob jackeroos, and a great chum of mine. He had a taste for literature, and we got on together like one o'clock. We sat on a log under a stringybark-tree and discussed the books we had read since last we met, and enjoyed ourselves so much that we quite forgot about the races or the flight of time until recalled from book-land by Harold Beecham's voice. ”

“ I retorted. 'Wen are such stupid creatures, and never understand about dress or anything. They think you could go to a ball in a wrapper."
"At all events, they are cute enough to know when they want a young lady at their place, no matter how she's dressed," he said good-humouredly.
On reaching the racecourse I was surprised to see aunt Helen there. From her I learnt that grannie and uncle Jay-Jay had really gone home, but Mr Beecham had persuaded them to allow aunt Helen and me to spend the night at Five-Bob Downs, our host promising to send or take us home on the morrow. ”

“ Don't you be put out of the running so cheaply: hold your own and win, that's my advice to you. There is nothing against him, only temper--old Nick himself isn't a patch on him for temper."
"Temper!" I exclaimed. "He is always so quiet and pleasant." ”

“ Last year it had been Beecham's ball, the year before Bossier's, and this year it was to take place in the woolshed of James Grant of Yabtree. Our two girls, the gardener, and Joe Slocombe the groom, were to be present, as also were all the other employees about. Nearly every one in the district--masters and men--attended the races. We were going, Frank Hawden volunteering to stay and mind the house.
We started at nine o'clock. Grannie and uncle Boss sat in the front scat of the buggy, and aunt Helen and I occupied the back. Uncle always drove at a good round gallop. ”