‘Some boys just don’t like people knowing more than them,’ Caleb said. ‘Have you got the broken piece?’

Danny fished out the piece of bent lead.

Caleb held it up and inspected it. ‘Well, I’m no expert, Dan, but how about I have a go at fixing His Lordship?’

Danny looked up at Caleb, the tears of misery evaporating. ‘Would you? You won’t tell Uncle Richard I broke his toy?’

‘Of course not. Anyway, it wasn’t you that broke it.’

A wave of shame washed over Danny. ‘I know, but Mama told me not to take the soldiers to school.’

Caleb tucked the Duke and his battered sword into the pocket of his waistcoat. ‘Mama was probably right.’ He paused. ‘Do you have any friends at school, Danny?’

Danny shook his head. ‘Not since Jeremy Russell went to school in Melbourne. I’d like to go to school in Melbourne but it costs a lot of money and I know Mama works hard but …’

‘She does work hard and I know she is saving to send you to a good school, so don’t be too hard on her. Your turn will come.’

Danny sighed and glanced up the street in the direction of the little school, the place of his daily torment. A couple of the big boys were coming this way, laughing and shoving each other. They caught sight of Danny and one pointed and leaned over to his companion, whispering something behind his hand. They laughed. Danny wanted to shrink into a ball and hide under the bench.

‘Friends of yours?’ Caleb asked in a tone that made the word ‘friends’ sound like something terrible. He replaced the pipe in his mouth and took a puff. The sweet scent of the tobacco seemed familiar and reassuring to Danny, who reminded himself that Caleb had been a soldier and had a revolver. Caleb would know how to stand up to bullies. He felt safe sitting here beside him.

‘The big one’s Bert and he’s the one who broke my soldier.’

‘I see,’ Caleb said. ‘I’m real sorry, Dan. Boys can be cruel.’

Danny shrugged. ‘Some of the girls are mean too. They tease me cos I don’t have a father. They call me a “mother’s boy”.’ And worse.

Caleb tilted his head and Danny shifted under his friend’s gaze.

‘Ever thought that maybe they’re jealous of you?’

Danny shook his head and Caleb continued, ‘You have a nice home and sure, your Mama may work in the post office, but she gives you more than many of these children have. I’ve been into their huts and tents, Dan, and they have a hard life. Not enough to eat, no shelter from the rain and the cold, mothers with so many children they’ve stopped counting and fathers who work hard in the mines and come home drunk or too tired to give their children any attention.’