A CRITICAL BIOGRAPHY OF EDWIN JAMES BRADY - Mallacoota ...

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Brady shows a deft touch in his understanding of the relationship between Dave and
Tom. After an initial state of armed neutrality the two develop an easy relationship
analogous to the mateship of the adult world of the bush. They each contribute to the
other’s welfare. Ever a lover of practical jokes, Brady has Tom startle Dave who
kicks and bites at the sudden chock. On being reprimanded and accused of fear, Dave
threatens to go home whereat Tom suddenly turns conciliatory. The code of manhood
with its stoicism in the face of fear is understood very well by both in their anxiety to
preserve “face”:
‘No!’ said Tom magnanimously. ‘Don’t go home; we’ll cry quits; we was
both in the wrong.’
‘I wasn’t in the wrong,’ persisted Dave. ‘You started it; I only hit when you
did.’
‘Of course you was frightened,’ said Tom. ‘That’s why you did it.’
‘I was not frightened,’ protested Dave vigorously; ‘I was no more frightened –
nor – nor – anything. Me frightened! You can’t frighten me as easy as that!’
‘All right,’ said Tom, ‘don’t let us say any more about it. Shake hands and
we’ll make up.’
They shook.
‘I won’t try to frighten you any more,’ said Tom generously, rubbing his shin
where Dave had kicked him. 1
Nor does Dave take offence when, in the course of planning, Tom let his know in no
uncertain terms who is leader; but Dave is still rather sensitive to the charge of
cowardice:
‘Well,’ retorted Dave, ‘I ain’t frightened or I wouldn’t be here.’
‘No,’ replied Tom magnanimously, ‘I give you credit for what you deserve, but
an ounce of discretion’s worth a pound o’ taller, as I heard the old schoolmaster
say, an’ you got no discretion to speak of.’
‘Anyhow,’ replied Dave in self-defence, ‘ you’re older than me twelve months;
but I ain’t funked any more than you ‘ave.’
‘Ain’t I givin’ you credit for it?’ said Tom. 2
Their relationship soon has developed to such a degree that they can laugh at each
other without enmity. They show the easy relationship and happy horseplay of
Lindsay’s Saturdee or Redheap, although on the whole Brady’s boys are more
pleasant and less boyishly vicious than Lindsay’s. But they have the same gusto for
life and innate merriment, even though Brady’s are seen only in pairs while the
parents to not appear, and Brady’s are never in the group situations of Lindsay’s/
Both writers attempt to plumb the small-town emotions as they are affected by events
and as they affect the people within their ambit. The reactions in Tom Pagdin’s small
town are interesting when its inhabitants discover firstly that the money is missing
from the bank, and cast their suspicions freely, and secondly learn of the discovery
and capture of the criminals and the revelation of the truth.
As in the other serials, there is no mistaking the Australian flavour in “The Younger
Quixote”. With its north-coast setting, it is full of the national flora and fauna as well
as the spirit of the Australian people. Flying-foxes, plovers, paddymelons,
bandkcoots, possums and black swans leave no doubt as to the setting of the narrative.
In fact one suspects again that Brady is ironic in his amplification of it; he ahs Tom
attempting to imitate the bushman’s skill at making damper, with rather drastic
results.
1 3.11.1900
2 24.11.1900