The migrations of the half-penny were so extraordinary that even Rachel and Hester professed amazement. Once it was found in Rachel's hand, into which another large hand had gently shut it. But it was never discovered twice in the same place, though all the children rushed religiously to look for it where it was last discovered. Another time, after a long search, the doll in the bath was discovered to be sitting upon it, and once it actually flew down Regie's back; and amid the wild excitement of the children its cold descent was described by Regie in piercing minuteness until the moment when it rolled out over his stocking at his knee. "Make it fly down my back too, Uncle Dick," shrieked Mary. "Regie, give it to me." But Regie danced in a circle round Dick, holding aloft the wonderful half-penny. "Make it fly down my throat," he cried, too excited to know what he was doing, and he put the half-penny in his mouth. "Put it out this instant," said Dick, without moving. A moment's pause followed, in which the blood ebbed away from the hearts of the two women. "I can't," said Regie; "I've swallowed it." And he began to whimper, and then suddenly rolled on the grass screaming. Dick pounced upon him like a panther, and held him by the feet head downward, shaking him violently. The child's face was terrible to see. Hester hid her face in her hands. Rachel rose and stood close to Dick. "I think the shaking is rather too much for him," she said, watching the poor little purple face intently. "I'm bound to go on," said Dick, fiercely. "Is it moving, Regie?" "It's going down," screamed Regie, suddenly. "That it's not," said Dick, and he shook the child again, and the half-penny flew out upon the grass. "Thank God," said Dick, and he laid the gasping child on Hester's lap and turned away. A few minutes later Regie was laughing and talking, and feeling himself a hero. Presently he slipped off Hester's knee and ran to Dick, who was lying on the grass a few paces off, his face hidden in his hands. "Make the half-penny fly again, Uncle Dick," cried all the children, pulling at him. Dick raised an ashen face for a moment and said, hoarsely, "Take them away." Hester gathered up the children and took them back to the house through the kitchen garden. "Don't say we have arrived," whispered Rachel to her. "I will come on with him presently." And she sat down near the prostrate vine-grower. The president of the South Australian Vine-Growers' Association looked very large when he was down. Presently he sat up. His face was drawn and haggard, but he met Rachel's dog-like glance of silent sympathy with a difficult, crooked smile. "He is such a jolly little chap," he said, winking his hawk eyes. "It was not your fault."