Читать книгу The Long Journey - Susan Wright - Страница 3

The journey back to the farm was through some of the most beautiful country Katherine had ever seen. For the most part they followed the river with its crystal clear water. The trees were a glorious profusion of colours from green to yellow to deep orange. There were gently rolling hills in the foreground and as a backdrop to the whole picture were the Remarkable mountains which would in a few weeks time be covered in snow, making the area like a fairyland.

The central Otago climate is one of extremes. In high summer the rock ranges baste in the heat yet overnight it can snow. Winter snow may drift a couple of meters or more followed by very severe frosts. Snow melt and rainstorms in the back country can cause rapid floods. Flash floods had been known to burst down the canyons and sweep everything away. Yet despite the extremes it never failed to instill awe in people, the share grandeur of the place commanded admiration and amazement.

‘Beautiful isn’t it?’ said Helmut.

‘Yes it is.’ Katherine replied. ‘I feel I have to pinch myself to be sure it is all real. I’m impatient to get out my water colours and capture it all.’ She continued to look around her in fascination. Although very tired after the long drive she was unwilling to close her eyes for even a second so intent was she in observing the scenery. It was quiet and peaceful with only the birds and an occasional rabbit moving. Katherine thought that the rabbits were rather endearing creatures but this was not the way Helmut viewed them. She could well understand this after he explained the reason why. In 1866 the first rabbits had been introduced to the region. Within ten years they had spread over the whole district and had brought ruin to many run holders. Then in 1885 twenty-eight weasels and six stoats had been liberated to control the rabbits this resulted in an extermination of native bird life. She made a mental note not to mention again her feelings of delight at watching the playful rabbits as they bounded about. The landscape was awesome and gave one the feeling that this must surely be the centre of the entire world. The sky appeared gigantic and seemed to go on into eternity. Everyone that came here could not help but be affected in some way by the beauty and loneliness of it all. You could feel as if there were only you in the whole world to enjoy this quietude and tranquility.

Both were lost in their own thoughts. Katherine was thinking on things from an artist’s point of view on how best to capture the beauty of it. Helmut gave a slight chuckle, was it only a week ago that he had left to buy some provisions for the farm and here he was returning with a Chinese cook and the most remarkable thing of all this woman sitting beside him was now his wife. As for Too Gum, well, who knows what he was thinking.

The first night they camped on the same spot where previously they had all met up, Katherine slept in the bed roll by the wagon again and Helmut slept amongst the grain with the dogs for warmth. If Too Gum thought this strange behavior for those on their wedding night he said nothing but went about his chores in his quiet methodical way.

The next day as they made their slow progress Helmut told her about his childhood and the place where he had grown up. He informed her that he had been raised in a small village called Titisee which is in the Black Forest.

‘I have always wondered why it’s called the Black Forest,’ she said.

He explained that it was because the mountains were covered in Spruce trees which are an evergreen and have a dark appearance hence the name Black Forest. His mood was one of nostalgia as he recalled his childhood memories.

‘I can remember my brother Otto and I went boating on the lake. We were fooling around and the boat capsized. Fortunately we were able to right it again and came to no harm but of course when our father found out we were beaten and not allowed out of the house for several days.’

‘What did your father do for a living?’

‘He made cuckoo clocks.’

‘Cuckoo clocks…You mean that.’

‘Yes of course, the region we came from was famous for two things, one was cuckoo clocks we were known as Stadt der Uhren or the city of clocks and this is what my father did for a living. As you might well imagine we had no excuse for ever being late as we were surrounded by clocks.’

‘You said there were two things your village was well known for.’

‘Well not just our village but the whole area was known for growing cherries.’

‘Cherries?’

‘Yes cherries, the lush valleys grew cherries which were made into a Likor I am not sure how you say it in English.’

‘Liqueur.’

‘Well this was known as Schwarzw�Cder Kirsch which means a drink and I might add it was very potent as my brother and I found out. One night we stole a bottle from our father’s cellar and then crept upstairs to our room to drink it.’ He chuckled as he recalled the occasion. ‘Well all I can remember was being violently ill afterwards which was far worse than the thrashing that we received. I must admit though that this one time that we deserved being thrashed. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemies.’

‘What the hangover or the thrashing?’

‘Both,’ he said without hesitation causing them both laugh out loud.

Katherine then proceeded to relate certain escapades that her and her brother and sister had experienced as children. By the end of the day they were both feeling decidedly more relaxed in each others company. That night they followed the same pattern as the night before, Katherine in the bed roll by the cart and Helmut amongst the provisions with the dogs for warmth.

Now it was late afternoon on the third day. Helmut informed them that once they went over the next rise they would see the farm buildings. He had described in detail the house to her. It sounded lovely and now she was anxious to see it for herself. Suddenly near the top the hill he called out ‘Woo-oop’ and the two huge animals came to stop.

‘What’s the matter? I thought we were nearly there.’

‘We are, but I would like you to walk with me to the top and view where you are going to live.’

He knew he was probably being foolish but somehow he didn’t want to share this moment with anyone else. He took her hand and helped her down and for a brief moment he hoped that she was going to leave her hand in his. They walked in silence and then there was a picture of such beauty that it caused her to have a quick intake of breath.

The house was situated on a small hill overlooking the river and nestled below in the trees of glorious autumn colours were the farm buildings and to the right she noticed two neat rows of cottages, three on each side, these she supposed would be for the married workers. The homestead was built of the local schist stone, which could sparkle in the sunlight with colours of green, gray and mauve. It was two-storied, as he said, but never in her wildest dreams did she think it would be so large. Even at this distance it appeared palatial. Built around three sides was a large veranda which she would come to appreciate in the very hot Otago summers.

She stood absolutely still and speechless for some minutes and then turning to Helmut, she just said simply, ‘Thank you for letting me share this place with you.’

As he observed her he knew the tears were threatening to come again. ‘I hope you will be happy here.’ He took her hand again and this time she didn’t remove it. They caused quite a stir as they drove down the hill, across the river, through the trees past the farm buildings and then up the slight incline to the house. The workers who had been concerned at the delay of their boss had been watching for him and now he was being observed from every vantage point on the farm. Katherine was unaware of this but Helmut knew and thought to himself this will give them something to talk about in the long winter evenings.

He helped her down from the cart and walked with her to the front door when they entered it was the floor that caught her attention first. ‘What beautiful wood,’ she said.

‘That’s native Kauri timber; it’s used extensively in the house. It was Helga’s choice; I am pleased that you like it as well.’

The entrance hall was large and led up to a magnificent staircase; to the left was the dining room. As well there was a well stocked library and a small living room which was facing north therefore getting the sun. It had a well used look about it. There was another room leading off from there but Helmut made no attempt to show it to her. Later she was to realize that this was where he slept. Down the hall was a huge lounge with windows right to the floor with a panoramic view of the area. Katherine noticed a gigantic open fire place. ‘Goodness,’ she said, ‘you could put an entire tree in there.’

Helmut stood observing her reactions to the house. ‘I think this would be a fine room to put your piano, what do you think?’

‘Would you mind if I put it in that corner near the window? Then I could look out at the scenery while I play.’

‘Katherine, it is your house as much as mine now, you put anything wherever you like, and I leave it entirely to you.’

At this point they were interrupted by the most hair-raising screams coming from the other end of the house.

‘What in the name of goodness is that?’ Said Helmut as he ran in the direction of the pandemonium. Katherine followed as he ran back down the hall and into the other side of the house which contained the kitchen and service areas. Helmut flung open the kitchen door and Katherine came to a halt as she took in the scene before her. Too Gum was standing with outstretched hands holding a gigantic meat cleaver and shouting in what she assumed to be Chinese at a very large, most ugly ginger tomcat. So that’s Jeremiah she thought. She had an overwhelming desire to burst out laughing but thought better of as she realized that both Too Gum and Helmut appeared very annoyed.

‘Too Gum put down that cleaver immediately, do you hear me?’

‘This no place for dirty smelly cat. Me no work in here with it, he get out, velly quick.’

‘Let me remind you that this was his home long before you came here. You touch one hair on him and I will cut you off at the knees and then your Chinese pants will fit. After that I will cut off your pigtail put it around your throat and hang you from that tree, do you understand?’ Helmut was shouting and his fists were clenched.

Too Gum got the message and put down the cleaver but not before shouting yet again in Chinese to the cat who it seemed perfectly understood every word. It got up slowly turned itself around and curled up into a tight ball and went to sleep as if totally oblivious to all the fuss he had caused. At this point Katherine could contain herself no more and for the first time in weeks she laughed until her sides actually felt sore.

It was observed over the years to come that whatever Too Gum was doing the ugly ginger cat would be right beside him. It was jokingly said that the cat was bilingual as it appeared to understand every word that Too Gum spoke to it, in either Chinese or English. Whatever the case they settled their differences and became the best of friends a fact which neither would admit to.

Meanwhile, harmony being restored in the kitchen, each went their different way; Katherine went upstairs to check out which room she would like. Meantime Helmut was helping the men to unload the household things off the wagon including the piano which was duly positioned in the lounge by the windows. On returning outside to get the final case Helmut was asked by one of the men, ‘Why did you bring home that dog, I don’t know what breed it claims to be, but sheep dog it certainly isn’t.’

They all turned to look in the direction he was pointing and sure enough it was the stray dog. Always having a soft spot for animals, Helmut gave instructions for it to be housed and fed. If the men were more than a little amused at what they had observed this day, their boss bringing home a wife a Chinese cook and now a stray dog they all knew better than to say anything.

Helmut carried the cases upstairs and found Katherine in the large bedroom at the north end of the house which was above the lounge. It had the same fantastic tableau out the floor length windows.

‘I am pleased you chose this room. I always felt it was the nicest bedroom.’

‘Are you sure you don’t mind, I thought maybe this room had been yours and Helga’s. I will choose another if you wish.’

‘Yes, it was, but it is time that it was used again. Now where would you like me to put your cases?’

‘Just on the floor in the corner will be fine.’

Putting them down Helmut left her to unpack. For the rest of the day each was busy attending to their own tasks, until tea time when Too Gum set before them a delicious meal.

For the next few weeks Katherine and Too Gum set about cleaning and polishing the house. Though it had not been dirty everything was dusty and a little musty. So windows were thrown open and then cleaned, drapes taken down and washed, cupboards tuned out cleaned, and rugs beaten to within an inch of their lives. Finally Katherine stood at the top of the staircase and looked about her in satisfaction, weary, but pleased to have it all done. She wondered how she would have managed without Too Gum. This little man seem to be everywhere at the same time, always industrious. She looked at the polished wood floor in the entrance hall and made a mental note to ask Helmut if he wouldn’t mind using the back door as she took real pride in the shine and didn’t want anything to spoil it, not that I am expecting visitors she mused. However she had no need to ask as that evening while eating their meal Helmut said, ‘I think from now on I will come in through the back door the hall floor looks so clean I don’t want to put marks on it.’

‘Thank you, I had intended to ask you, it is very thoughtful of you.’ Not for the first time was she to experience a twinge of bad conscience. This man was so benevolent to her giving her whatever she asked yet never asking anything at all in return apart from her company in the evenings. Then she would play the piano for him or just sit quietly and talk about the events of the day. She was aware that his feelings for her were subtly changing. She thought that he was falling in love with her but she couldn’t deal with that, not yet, anyway. Many times as they sat together in the evenings he would relate to her the history of the farm and their early life here. He made everything sound interesting and exciting and she would close her eyes and try imagining life as it must have been for the early pioneers. Life had been hard for those early travelers and especially so for the woman. They not only had to help in building their home which would be a very rough type of shelter to begin with but also had to take an active part in breaking up the ground for the first crops. Those traveling for any distance inland piled their household goods and their young children on a bullock cart and set off over the trackless hills. On arriving at a creek they would call a halt while they cut down the growth from the banks to enable the cart to be dragged across. First unloading the goods and carrying them over on their backs. At night the woman would sleep in the cart while the men would bivouac underneath. In 1872 it took three days to journey from Dunedin to Queenstown by coach. Those who had the unenviable task of driving flocks of sheep to the back country had a long and difficult trek in those days before bridges. Nor was this the only problem they had to contend with for the poisonous tutu plants often worked havoc in the flocks on the move also the wild dogs did great damage. One of the greatest inconveniences that the shepherds had to put up with was the native rats which infested the country in their millions. They gnawed holes in food boxes, attacked the stores, boots were damaged even tobacco was carried off. They would even swarm over the men at night while they were sleeping and gnaw at their hair. Katherine shivered as he related this to her and was thankful that this was no longer the case.

Helmut went on to explain, ‘It was hard work in those early days first the land had to be cleared and then improved so we could grow pasture then there were sheds to be built and animals to be tended and fed. I was a lot younger then Katherine I would not like to attempt doing it all again. When we first arrived here of course there were no fences to keep in the stock can you imagine what sort of problems that caused.’

‘Where did you live when you first came here?’

‘You probably didn’t notice but on the way up to the house past the farm buildings there is a small one roomed cottage set back against a macracapra hedge.’

‘No, I didn’t notice.’

‘Well that was our first home. It was primitive but compared too many others of the time it was a great deal better. The first farm houses were usually small rough and simple with every thing being made out of wood even the roofs had wooden shingles. Some didn’t even have chimneys.’

‘How did they cook a meal then, not to mention keep warm?’

‘They had to cook outside over a camp fire as I said Katherine life was far from easy in those days.’

Katherine sat mentally trying to imagine what it had been like at that time unaware that Helmut was closely observing her. The fire was burning brightly giving the room a warm cozy feel. The lamp was flickering casting almost magical images, Helmut leaned back and smiled at her. ‘What are you thinking about you seem to be miles away, I hope you are happy here Katherine?’

She blinked rapidly as she forced her mind back to the present. ‘Who wouldn’t be happy living in this beautiful place?’ Yet she knew that there were some needs that would never be satisfied no matter how beautiful the surroundings. In order to hide her true feeling she added, ‘I was thinking, that now we have the house in order I should begin to think about the school.’

‘I would suggest that you leave that until after the winter, I can feel snow in the air already. Why not have a good rest, and get out your paints and capture some winter scenes.’

So it was decided that the formation of the school would begin in the spring.

Later that same night Helmut awoke to the sounds of her screams. He bounded up the stairs almost knocking over Too Gum who had also heard her. He entered the room to observe her sitting up with a terrified look on her face, she was bathed in sweat and her breathing was rapid. Quickly crossing the room he sat down on the bed and took her in his arms. ‘Whatever is the matter my dear?’

‘I thought I was on the ship again there was water every where. ‘She sobbed.

‘Sh-sh-sh it was only a bad dream.’ He held her close all the time talking soothingly to her. ‘Look Too Gum has brought you something to drink. Here let me hold it for you.’ He carefully held the blue and white container that Too Gum had handed to him and she sipped at the liquid waiting for the soothing effects to wash over her, which it did almost immediately. Helmut straightened the bedding for her as she lay down and quietly drifted back into a peaceful sleep. ‘Thank you Too Gum, I don’t know what you have in that jar but it sure does the trick.’

‘It velly old Chinese recipe, she will sleep good now for long time.’

‘Go back to bed now, get some rest yourself.’ He watched as the small man left the room. He was almost sure he saw a ginger cat waiting at the door. He turned his gaze back to the bed and watched as Katherine lay sleeping. Her hair which she normally tied up was now loose and spread out over the pillow. As he looked at her he thought, up until now I thought of her as being pretty but she is beautiful. If only she could reciprocate this great love that I feel for her, but it is early days yet he thought. He sat for some time just watching her. He had taken hold of her hand, after a while he bent forward and gently kissed her on the forehead. ‘Goodnight my dear,’ he whispered. Then he quietly left the room and walked back through the silent house to his own room.

When she awoke the next morning and looked out the window it was to see a completely different world. It had snowed heavily during the night and now everything was glistening white. It was like an enchanted place as if some benevolent giant had spread white snow over everything and soon the fairies would come out and perform some pageant. She felt a great excitement as she dressed for the day as if she was a small child again waiting to go out and play. Helmut had already eaten and gone out to attend to the stock when she came down for breakfast, she ate heartily of porridge and then had some bacon and an egg, this return of appetite surprised her. ‘It must be the mountain air,’ she said to no one in particular.

She put on her boots and coat and tied the red scarf around her hair and neck and went outside. The air was clear and crisp as she walked just enjoying the sheer beauty of the place. Looking down the valley she could see some children playing and laughing as they pelted each other with snow balls, even a couple of dogs where getting in on the act. She smiled and remembered her own childhood in England where she had played like that with her sister and the local children. Afterwards her Mother would scold them for getting wet; it seemed like a lifetime away.

And so a pattern was set during the winter months, after eating breakfast she would go for a walk just around the homestead but never ventured down the hill. Then she would go upstairs to the room that she had set up as a studio where Too Gum would have a fire burning brightly. She would paint or read as there being plenty of books in the library to choose from. Sometimes she would do some needlework. Later in the day weather permitting she would go for another short walk and then bathe and dress for dinner.

Towards the end of winter a great restlessness came over her almost a feeling of claustrophobia as if she would scream if she did not get out of the house. Fortunately spring came early that year and with it all the activity and excitement that comes to the farm at this time of year. There were new born lambs everywhere. Helmut was out at first light and sometimes was still out well after dark. Many of the lambs that were weak or cold would be brought into the shearing shed along with their mothers and there the shepherds would attempt to keep them warm. However the weather was kind to them this year and there were few lamb fatalities. It was during this time that Katherine decided to begin preparations for the school. The first thing she would have to do would be to go and meet with the mothers and get their reaction to this. She had no idea as yet whether they would even want such a thing. She was putting on her outdoor things when Too Gum said, ‘You be velly careful, it velly hard frost, ground velly slippery.’

‘Yes Too Gum I be velly careful.’

They knew each so well by now that he did not mind her making fun of his English. She left by the back door and made her way around the house and for the first time since the day she had arrived she ventured down the hill. The ground was indeed slippery and so she walked cautiously down to the farm sheds. First there was an enormous shearing shed and equally large sheep yards which were in turn divided into smaller pens. In the last pen closest to the shed were ramps leading up to small doors, she assumed correctly that must be where the sheep would come out after being shorn. Along the road winding past the sheds was a creek. On the banks grew tussocks and flax and in amongst these there were Muscovy ducks, geese, turkeys and hens of all colours each trying to look after their own small families. There were constant squabbles over youngsters and nest sights as they went about their daily affairs. Katherine learnt later that it was one of the chores of the children to search for eggs. Past the wool shed was the blacksmiths, she could almost smell the heat coming from the forge. This must be a favorite place to gather in the winter, she thought. Standing outside the blacksmiths were two huge Clydesdale horses. They were gentle creatures and stood patiently waiting their turn to be shod. Although the men were aware that Katherine was there they didn’t look up. It wasn’t that they were rude it was just that they were country folk and were more than a little in awe of this English lady in their midst.

Next came the stable which was a long building with two large doors in the centre, sitting outside was an old man with a gray beard. Beside him sat an equally old dog that was blind and full of rheumatism but the old man had refused point blank to have him put down as they had been close friends for a very long time. In contrast to the rest of the men the old man gave her a cheery smile and wished her good-morning. Katherine was gratified that someone had spoken to her and replied, ‘Good-morning my name is Katherine Kruger.’ She extended her hand, with a strength that belied his age he gave her hand a hearty shake.

‘Pleased to meet you Mrs Kruger. My name is Frederick Duggan; just call me Fred, everyone else does.’

‘Pleased to meet you Fred. I am on my way to meet the women in the cottages I hope they don’t mind me coming unannounced.’

‘I wouldn’t worry about that Mrs. They will have been aware of you coming since you left the house.’

She was a little perturbed at the thought of being observed all the time. ‘Is that so, well I best be on my way then.’

The old man merely nodded and she carried on past an assortment of buildings which seemed endless in variety and uses around which seemed to be a never ending amount of cats and kittens. Quiet a few of which were ginger and bore a strong resemblance to Jeremiah. It was their duty to keep the mouse population under control, with that amount of cats it would take a very brave or very foolish mouse to venture out. Katherine then noticed to her right and set under a macracapa hedge was a wooden building with an iron roof. Around it on three sides was a fence in a sorry state of disrepair in the middle of which hanging at an awkward angle was a gate. There was a small bridge across the creek with an overgrown path leading up to the gate. She crossed the bridge and pushed past the undergrowth which was still heavy with frost. She went through the gate and stood still to observe the place. It was obvious it had not been used for a long time. The path led up to wooden door on each side of which were two windows each divided into four small panes, these were covered in dirt and cobwebs but glistened with the frost on them. Katherine walked forward and rubbed at one of the windows to see inside. It was very dark but she could just make out at the far end a large fireplace. She was startled as a voice behind her said, ‘This was where the boss and the first Mrs Kruger lived while the big house was being built.’

‘Fred, you gave me a fright. I didn’t see you coming.’ An idea began to form in her mind. ‘Has this building been used since then?’

‘Some of the single men used it for a while until the boss built a place for them. They don’t know they are born these days. They each have a room of their own and the boss even employees a cook for them. In my day it was different I can tell you.’

‘I am sure it was Fred. Would you say in your opinion that this building was in good condition and could be used again?’

‘Sure it could, it just needs a few minor repairs, what did you have in mind Mrs?’

I have in mind to use it as school room, but first I will have to speak to my husband and get his approval.’

Well, thought Fred, if half the gossip I hear is true the boss wouldn’t refuse this one anything. It’s funny what a woman will do to a normally level headed man.

Katherine walked back out onto the road and left the old man muttering to himself. Walking on she noticed to her left a large building it was different from the rest it looked more like a large house. This must be the place where the single men are accommodated she thought. She carried on towards the river; on the banks the willows were just beginning to turn green. Pausing for a few minutes to observe the scenery she thought how exhilarating it was just to be out of the house again after the long winter. She could now see the cottages, she felt a little nervous and tense as she knew the whole outcome of her idea of a school depended on the cooperation of these women. It’s funny, she thought, how the outward appearance of a house often reflects the people living in it. This was certainly true with first house. It was very neat and clean there were even some daffodils growing along the path. The door opened and out came an equally neat and clean women.

‘Hello Mrs Kruger, we are all pleased to meet you at last. My name is Jane Tall, please come inside and have a hot drink, you must be frozen.’

‘Thank you Mrs Tall, I am feeling rather cold.’

‘Please, call me Jane.’

‘Then you must call me Katherine.’

She was ushered into a small kitchen with a coal range on which was a large black kettle. The brightly burning coal range was giving off enough heat to warm the entire house. The immediate impression Katherine received was one of warmth and homeliness. Everything had a well used look but yet spotlessly clean. Katherine smiled to herself as she noted curled up on the mat in front of the range was another ginger cat bearing a strong resemblance to Jeremiah. Jane made the tea and set before her a plate of freshly made scones dripping with butter and raspberry jam. These had been hastily made and put in the oven the minute they were aware she was coming.

‘This is my eldest girl, Sarah, she is sixteen, then next is Judith who is twelve, and this is Grace, she is eight, my two boys are out with their father, George is fourteen and Henry is six.’

Katherine noted that Sarah had bright intelligent eyes. She was a plain girl, unlike her sister Judith, who even at twelve had the makings of beauty. Grace was sniveling with a cold.

‘I am pleased to meet with you all. I am sure you must know of my intention to start up a school I would like to know how you feel about that.’

‘Speaking for myself I think it would be great. We try our best but there is always so much to do we haven’t always got the time and to be honest with you most of us lack the education ourselves. My husband and I have talked about this at great length and we will support you all we can.’

‘I am delighted to hear that. Would you mind coming and introducing me to the other women?’

‘Of course not, you girls clear the plates and do the dishes.’

‘Good-bye girls, I will look forward to seeing you in school.’

‘Good-bye Mrs Kruger,’ they all said in unison.

Next door lived a quiet shy women who may have at one stage laid claim to beauty but now through too much work and too many children looked a lot older than her thirty-three years. She was introduced as Gladys Finlay. Around her stood five children of varying ages who appeared as shy and nervous as their mother. Because of her obvious anxiety Katherine briefly told her of her intentions for the school and said she would be pleased to have her children come along. Gladys thanked her and said she would send the eldest ones. She then hastily retreated indoors followed by the children.

The last house on this side of the road was in complete contrast to Jane’s. The fence was falling down. The gate no longer existed. The grass was up to the windows. At a glance it appeared no one lived there. As if to prepare her Jane said, ‘This is Florrie Brown’s place, you will have to excuse her, she is a bit coarse.’

A bit coarse was putting it mildly as out came a woman who Katherine judged to be in her forties. She was large with massive breasts that seemed to sit on her stomach. She was also extremely dirty.

‘Well gidday Mrs. Come to meet us then have ya. Me name’s Florrie.’

‘Hello Florrie, I am Mrs Kruger.’ There was no way this creature was going to call her Katherine.

‘Come to try and knock some sense into the kids have ya?’

‘I would not put it quite like that but yes it is my intention to start a school, have you any children?’

This brought forth a great guffaw of laughter. ‘Sure have love. Me eldest Tom, is seventeen and he won’t come to ya school he would much rather be out chasin’ rabbits.’

Or my girls thought Jane.

‘Then there is Dick, you’re welcome to try and knock some sense in that little bastards head.’

‘Florrie, mind your language,’ said Jane feeling very uncomfortable.

‘Do you have any other children?’ Said Katherine rather hoping there were not so she could move on.

‘There is Harry, Mike and Fred; you can have the whole damn lot and good riddance to them.’

‘You have five boys then?’

‘Sure do love, there would have been more but I kicked the old fella out. He sleeps over the stables now.’

I am sure it is a lot cleaner thought Katherine and turned to walk away pleased to get away from this woman. She dreaded to think what her boys would be like.

‘I apologize about her,’ said Jane feeling embarrassed.

‘Don’t worry Jane every community has their Florrie Brown’s. Now who lives here?’

They had crossed the path that separated the two rows of houses and were now at the gate of another immaculate cottage.

‘This is Beverly and Graham Steeles place they have only been married a short time and has no family as yet.’

Beverly was a plain homely person who made them welcome and offered to help in any way she could. At the next cottage she met Elsie Duggan whose husband Fred she had met earlier. She was a happy cheerful soul who enjoyed playingGranny to all the children in the row and she jokingly offered a large wooden spoon that Katherine could use for discipline.

The end cottage was occupied by a hard working no nonsense women called Ethel Reekie who had three children. There were the nine year old twins Nellie and Beccy and a five year old boy who was the apple of his father’s eye called Joseph. Ethel turned out to be the most enthusiastic of all of them believing a good education was essential to get anywhere in this young country.

It was lunch time when all the introductions had been made. Apart from Florrie, she looked forward to meeting them all again. She thanked Jane for her assistance and promised to get in contact again as soon as anything was definite. Jane offered to send Sarah up to the house the next day with some fresh eggs and said Katherine could give her any message.

Katherine walked back to the homestead and was pleased to be inside her own house and to eat some of Too Gums chicken and corn soup with hot freshly baked bread. The afternoon she spent mulling over different ideas for the school. Over dinner that night she approached Helmut about the use of the old house as a schoolroom.

‘What a great idea, I don’t know why I did not think of that myself. It will need a few repairs but I am sure I could spare a couple of men to help. When do you want to start?’ he asked, although he could tell by the look on her face it would be immediately.

‘Well I thought if you agreed, I would send word to the women and we could meet tomorrow and at least begin cleaning the place.’

‘First you will need the chimney cleaned as I am sure you will want to use the fire. I will get one of the men to do that first thing in the morning and then you can go about your cleaning.’

They had finished their meal and were sitting beside the fire when Katherine said, ‘I’m concerned about the Dooley’s, they agreed to come early in the month if the weather was fine which it has been. I just hope that nothing is wrong.’

‘It’s funny that you should say that as I have to admit to being a little concerned myself. We are getting short of a few provisions for the farm so if they are not here by next week we could make a trip into town if you wish.’

‘That would suit me fine as there are some things I will need for the school that I didn’t think of before.’

‘It might be an idea to ask Too Gum what he needs in the kitchen how he has managed over the winter is beyond me.’

‘I think that wooden box of his that he keeps locked must contain some magical items.’

With that in walked Too Gum with their hot bedtime drink, while standing outside, was the ugly ginger cat but still neither would admit to noticing the other. It was cozy and warm beside the fire and Katherine was pleased with her day’s efforts.

Noticing this Helmut said, ‘It is nice to see you looking relaxed and you know you only have to ask if there is anything you require. I hope you are happy here Katherine.’

‘Of course I am happy.’ She smiled at him and thought I wish I could return this man’s love. It had slowly dawned on her over the winter months that his feelings of concern for her had become more intense and that he was in love with her. At first he had been kind and polite which he still was but it was different somehow. There was a softness about him that had not been there in the beginning or if it had been she was not aware of it. She struggled to come to terms with her feelings for him. First she had had strong feelings of guilt but then she reasoned that after all they had entered into a bargain and she was keeping her part and she could not help it if he became emotionally involved which had not been part of the original conditions set by their agreement. She then suppressed these guilt feelings and asked herself over and over what were her feelings towards him. Always she got the same answer she liked him, no more than liked him, she was very fond of him and respected him immensely but that was not the same as love. Not the overwhelming kind that she had felt for John when she had been prepared to come half way across the world to be with him. As she attempted to see into the future she could see herself eventually coming to love him. Not the mad passionate kind of love of youth but the kind that comes following appreciation and admiration of a person. Feeling a certain amount of affection for him already she rose, walked across and bending down and kissed him on the top of his head.

‘Goodnight Helmut and thank-you for everything.’

He reached up and took her hand, ‘Goodnight, my dear.’ He felt happier than he had felt for a long time thinking that maybe she was beginning to feel something for him.

The next few days were taken up with cleaning the school, as it was now called, as promised Helmut had arranged for the chimney to be cleaned and now a fire burned brightly. The grass was cut and the fence and gate repaired. It was at this stage that a cart turned up at the gate loaded with desks that had small seats attached. Katherine could have cried she was so grateful as this had been one of the problems she did not know how to overcome.

‘Where did these come from?’ she asked.

Fred, who was driving the cart said, ‘The head stockman Matthew Grant likes doing woodwork in his spare time and so he made these for you over the winter.’

‘Where is this Matthew Grant? I owe him my thanks.’

‘Oh, he spends most of his time out with the animals.’

‘Well when you see him Fred please thank him for me.’

‘Will do Mrs.’

At last it looked like a schoolroom. The blackboard was nailed in place and in one of the sheds was found a suitable desk for Katherine. It was cleaned and polished and put in place at the head of the class. Later Katherine was to notice a vase full of fresh daffodils on it. She was standing alone looking at it all when Helmut walked up behind her. He put his arm around her waist and said, ‘Happy Mrs Kruger?’

‘Very happy Mr Kruger,’ she said as she laid her head on his shoulder.