[1] The story concerns a young American geologist, Stanton Laird, working in the Australian outback in the field of oil exploration.

Although he is in a very remote location - beyond the black stump - in a region called "the Lunatic" in Western Australia, he is part of a crew that has a well-appointed mobile facility.

Over the course of the explorations (which proved unsuccessful), he notes the unique lifestyle on what amounts to the Australian frontier, and falls in love with Mollie.

Mollie is unconcerned about the boy—such things are common where she comes from—but is concerned about the accident, and about Stanton's lack of remorse for the dead girl.

Stanton has a wedding present for Mollie, though—his final report reveals that the neighbor's impoverished lands lie over great quantities of artesian water, which will allow the neighbor—and Mollie—to flourish.