John Longstaff "Breaking the News"

The story now told is of a simple and – alas! - an often-recurring incident of everyday life in a mining district. The scene is the interior of a miner’s cottage on the goldfields. Through the open doorway are to be seen the poppet heads which mark the main shaft of the mine. The table is laid for the evening meal. The young wife takes pride in the neatness of her modest home, as shown by the little surroundings. We imagine her, with her infant in her arms, sitting by the fire as she prepares the husband’s dinner. Presently, she hears the sound of many footsteps, and wonderingly listens. Then the door is opened, and two men enter. The older of them approaches her with bowed, uncovered head – a look of deep concern upon his honest face. Instantly the dread of what has happened flashes upon her. She springs forward, the mute agony of her pallid face appealing to him to let her know the worst. His rough, toilworn hands are gently placed on her shoulders to steady her be...