On this particular Saturday afternoon, though there were no trippers, the telephone rang almost incessantly. Was it true that there was to be a concert that evening? Was Mr Geoffrey Gaunt going to perform at it? Could one obtain tickets and, if so, were the receipts to go to the patriotic funds? So insistent did these demands become that at last Huia was dispatched over the hill for definite instructions from old Rua. She returned, laughing excitedly, with the message that everybody would be welcome.

The Maori people are a kindly and easy-going race. In temperament they are so vivid a mixture of Scottish Highlander and Irishman that to many observers the resemblance seems more than fortuitous. Except in the matter of family and tribal feuds, which they keep up with the liveliest enthusiasm, they are extremely hospitable. Rua and his people were not disturbed by the last-minute transformation into a large public gathering of what was to have been a private party between themselves and the Springs, Huia, who returned with Eru Saul and an escort of grinning youths, reported that extra benches were being hurriedly knocked up, and might they borrow some armchairs for the guests of honour?

‘Py korry!’ said one of the youths. ‘Big crowd coming, Mrs Keeah. Very good party. Te Mayor coming too, all the time more people.’

‘Now, Maui,’ said Mrs Claire gently, ‘why don’t you speak nicely as you did when you used to come to Sunday school?’

Huia and the youths laughed uproariously. Eru sniggered.

‘Tell Rua we shall be pleased to lend the chairs. Did you say the Mayor was coming?’

‘That’s right, Mrs Keeah. We’ll be having a good party, all right.’

‘No drink, I hope,’ said Mrs Claire severely, and was answered by further roars of laughter. ‘We don’t want Mr Gaunt to go away thinking our boys don’t know how to behave, do we?’

‘No fear,’ said Maui obligingly. Eru gave an offensive laugh and Mrs Claire looked coldly at him.

‘Plenty of tea for everybody,’ said Maui.

‘That will be very nice. Well, now you may come in and get the chairs.’

‘Grandfather’s compliments,’ said Huia suddenly, ‘and he sent you this, please.’

It was a letter from old Rua, written in a style so urbane that Lord Chesterfield might have envied its felicity. It suggested that though the Maori people themselves did not venture to hope that Gaunt would come in any other capacity than that of honoured guest, yet they had been made aware of certain rumours from a pakeha source. If, in Mrs Claire’s opinion, there was any foundation of truth in these rumours, Rua would be deeply grateful if she advised him of it, as certain preparations should be made for so distinguished a guest.

Mrs Claire in some perturbation handed the letter over to Dikon, who took it to his employer.