Читать книгу The Long Journey - Susan Wright - Страница 4

The Dooley’s did not arrive by the end of the week and so Katherine and Helmut set off on their trip into town. They were accompanied by Bing and Moss, the dogs, who felt a bit peeved at having to sit on the back of the cart. Until now they had always rode up front.

Katherine had arranged with the mothers and children that school would begin the following Monday at 9 p.m. sharp. Meantime she had left the children with some small tasks to do at the school feeling that if they took a personal interest in the place they might be more eager about attending.

It was a cool clear morning when they set off but a chilly wind was blowing and so they were both well wrapped up. Katherine had a large rug around her legs for which she was grateful as before too long she was beginning to feel cold.

‘I don’t like the way those clouds are gathering. I think we maybe in for some rain,’ said Helmut. ‘There are two oilskin coats in the back should that happen.’

The road had deep ruts after the winter and so the journey was far from comfortable, but that was compensated for with the scenery which was breathtaking. The mountains where still covered in snow, which was why the wind was so cold and the water in the river which is always pale gray-green looked even colder.

Katherine shivered. Noticing this, Helmut suggested that they stop and have something to eat. He called out ‘Woo-oop’ and the two big bullocks obediently came to a halt. The dogs dashed off in search of a rabbit which had the misfortune to put its head up at that minute. Katherine got out the basket that Too Gum had packed for them, put the rug on the ground, and unwrapped the sandwiches.

‘These are very tasty,’ said Helmut as he washed down the sandwich with a refreshing hot drink of tea. ‘Did you remember to ask Too Gum what he needed for the kitchen?’

Katherine opened her bag. ‘Yes, here is his note.’ She took out the note and then sat in complete silence just staring at it.

‘What’s the matter? Don’t tell me we should have brought another wagon just for his provisions. How many things does he want?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘What do you mean you don’t know? Is his writing so poor that you can’t read it?’

‘His writing is fine, I think… I just can’t read it.’

‘Here let me have a look. Although if you are not able to read it I am sure I will not be able to, after all, you are the school teacher.’

She handed him the note He looked at it, looked back at her and then looked at it again before bursting out laughing. ‘It’s in Chinese.’

‘What ever do we do now? I never thought for a minute that he would write in anything but English.’

‘There are plenty of Chinese gold miners around let us hope that maybe one of them will be able to translate. If they can’t then we will just have to guess at it, right now I think we had better get going again and cover as much distance as we can before this weather breaks.’

They quickly packed the basket and Helmut whistled up the dogs that by this time had chased the hapless rabbit down its burrow. Somewhat reluctantly they raced after the cart.

Driving until nearly dark they found a place under a rock ledge that gave them some shelter from the wind. While Helmut saw to the needs of the animals Katherine gathered some wood and they soon had a welcoming fire burning. Helmut got a strong iron pot from the wagon and put it on the fire with stew that Too Gum had prepared. After eating their meal Helmut made up the beds in the back of the cart under a cover. Katherine suddenly became a little disturbed she had not really given much thought to the sleeping arrangements.

Always sensing her mood, Helmut said, ‘It is very cold and I think if we both sleep under the cover it will be much warmer you can have one dog for warmth and I will have the other. Don’t worry Katherine I will not go back on my word,’ he added a little more seriously.

They spent a reasonably comfortable night and after making breakfast set off again.

It was late afternoon when the rain started. First it was just an occasional few drops but before long it was coming down in great sheets. They had put on the oil skin coats and Katherine along with the dogs had retreated under the cover in the back. By the time that they stopped to make camp for the night she was absolutely frozen. Helmut had pulled the cart under a large stand of pine trees where the ground was relatively dry. He placed a ground sheet under the cart and told Katherine to get underneath so she could keep dry. He lit a fire as quickly as possible as he was more than a little concerned about her. She was looking very pale and shivering almost uncontrollably. Katherine sat almost motionless; apart from the dreadful ordeal on the boat she had never felt so miserable.

When Helmut handed her a hot meal she could barely do more than stammer her thanks. They ate in silence and once again Helmut set up the bed rolls. This time under the cart. The night before he set them one on each side of the cart but now she noticed they were side by side. However she was past caring about the priorities of the situation all she wanted was to feel warm again and to be able to rest her by now thumping headache. With a feeling of despondency and nausea she gratefully got into her bed roll. Helmut built up the fire and then joined her. As he got into his bedroll he was aware of her shivering. She was lying on her side facing away from him, without asking her consent he wrapped his arms about her and drew her close to him. She made no protest but found solace and comfort within the warm confines of his arms as she drifted off into a disturbed sleep.

She awoke next morning still in his arms, she was aware that he was looking at her.

‘You are very beautiful Katherine.’

Before she could make any comment she was overcome with a fit of coughing. They both sat up and he rubbed her back until it had subsided.

‘Well my dear I had better get you something hot to drink. You just stay there and keep as warm as possible.’

They where soon ready to set off again on the final leg of the journey. Katherine had a headache and her throat felt dry but she said nothing to Helmut as she did not want to alarm him. By now the rain had stopped and it was a clear but cold day. The journey seemed interminably long and after they had eaten lunch she could feel herself nodding off to sleep. Helmut put his arm around her and she gratefully put her head on his shoulder and slept. She awoke with a start as she heard Helmut calling to the bullocks to stop. It was with a feeling of almost overwhelming relief when she saw that they had arrived and the journey was over.

‘I will take you straight to a hotel and book us in so you can have a nice hot bath and get into bed. I’ll take the wagon and team to the blacksmiths; he has a paddock at the back where he will let me keep them. When I have done that I am going to ask the Doctor to come and take a look at you.’

Even though she had said nothing about feeling ill he knew that something was wrong.

‘I wish Too Gum was here with his wooden box of tricks.’ She said, aware of how much she had come to depend on the little man.

Helmut procured them a room and an hour later after having a delicious hot bath she got into one of the two single beds. A fire was burning and the room was bathed in the soft flickering light giving a warm and comforting atmosphere.

There was knock at the door, ‘Come in.’

‘Hello Katherine, it’s so nice to see you again.’

‘Hello Doctor Thomson, it’s nice to see you too.’

‘Your husband asked me to come and take a look at you. He said you were not feeling too well, he is very concerned about you.’

‘He worries too much. I think I got a slight chill. We had to sleep out in the open and it was very cold.’

‘Let me be the judge of that. Now let me take a look at you.’

After a thorough examination he agreed with her diagnosis and told her to stay in bed for a day and rest. He left her a bottle of vile tasting medicine which she was to take three times a day no matter how bad it tasted.

‘Thank you Doctor, how is your wife?’

‘She is well thanks, but I am sure she would be very cross if you went home with out seeing her.’

‘Of course I will. I would love to, you were both so good to me I will never forget your kindness.’

‘Are you happy Katherine?’

‘Helmut is a very good and kind man Doctor, there is nothing I lack.’

They both knew that she had not answered his question.

‘Doctor how are the Dooley’s? They were supposed to come out to the farm and when they didn’t arrive we thought that maybe something was wrong.’

‘You have not seen them yet?’

‘No not yet, is something wrong then?’

‘There is absolutely nothing the matter with them, quite the opposite really. But it would be very discourteous and unethical of me to say anything more. Now young woman you get some rest or I shall be forced to increase your dosage of medicine to four times a day.’

‘Anything but that. Thank you once again for coming and please tell your wife I will call before I go back to the farm.’

‘Goodnight Katherine.’

‘Goodnight Doctor.’ She took a dose of the vile medicine and lay back in bed. Presently there was another knock on the door. ‘Come in.’

The door opened and a very large woman backed into the room and then turned around. She had in a tray in her hands. ‘Good evening Mrs Kruger your husband said you where feeling poorly so I have brought you something to eat.’

‘That’s very kind. I didn’t think I was hungry but the fragrance of that tells me that I am.’

Helmut returned to the room later and told her he had been to see the Dooley’s and that they acted very strangely and would not tell him anything about their reason for not coming out to the farm. They had made it very clear to him that they had no intention of enlightening him about the matter until both he and Katherine were present. Then she told him what the Doctor has said about them and they both agreed it as all very mysterious.

The next day although feeling much better Katherine did as she had been instructed and stayed in bed. Helmut went back to the Dooley’s and told them that Katherine was under Doctor’s orders to rest so Jean said that they would expect them both for lunch the next day. He then went to the blacksmiths to check on his animals. Satisfied that they were all in good shape he set about getting the provisions which necessitated finding a Chinese translator. He went to the general store where much to the amusement of the owner and all who happened to be in there he told them the story of the Chinese list. Nearly everyone in there knew somebody, who knew somebody else, who had a Chinese cook or house-boy and so the list was left with the assurance that it would be deciphered.

The following day Katherine claimed to be feeling much better when Helmut inquired. However she had not really recovered and made a pretense of feeling better. She knew if she had told the truth he would have made her stay in bed whereas she really wanted to go and visit her friends. Also on her list of priorities for this trip was the acquisition of materials for the establishment of the school and so no matter how out of sorts she was feeling she had to make the effort as so many were depending on her.

They arrived at the Dooley’s house to be greeted warmly. Jean embraced Katherine. ‘It’s so good to see you both.’

Jean was absolutely blooming and appeared fatter and happier than ever. As for James he looked like a small boy who had just been given a sweet. He was so happy.

‘Whatever has got into you two?’ said Helmut. ‘You look like a couple of kids.’

At this point Jean began to cry. ‘I am sorry,’ she said. ‘It is just that I am so happy.’

Women! Thought Helmut. I will never understand them.

It slowly dawned on Katherine what was the reason for their happiness. ‘Are you trying to tell us that you are going to have a baby?’

‘Yes isn’t just amazing,’ said a beaming James. ‘We had given up hope years ago. We can hardly believe it ourselves. So you can understand why we could not risk a trip out to the farm. I have to take care of this precious wife of mine.’

By this time Katherine was crying as well. The two women hugged and cried and hugged again until James said, ‘By the look of these two lunch will be while coming. Let’s go and have drink across the road at the Hotel.’

The two men went across the road and left the women happy talking baby talk about names and what clothes to make. Jean showed Katherine the room that they were going to convert into a nursery.

‘I am so happy for you Jean.’

‘Well maybe it will be your turn next.’

‘Yes, maybe,’ said Katherine without enthusiasm or conviction.

Jean was to remark to James later when they were on their own, ‘There is something not quite right there.’

They had a pleasant lunch together and agreed to come back for dinner that night, meanwhile Helmut loaded the supplies and as promised Katherine went to visit the Doctors wife. Then she went and got the equipment she required for the school.

When she went to dinner she was feeling far from well and could only pick at the meal that Jean had prepared. She tried to pass it off by saying that she was just tired which was not entirely untrue and so was not unhappy when Helmut suggested they return to the hotel. The two women embraced again and Katherine promised to come back in the autumn by which time the baby would be born.

For Katherine the return journey seemed endless and she felt worse with the passing of each day. By the morning of the third day Helmut was desperate with worry about her. She was hot, then cold, and at times almost delirious. He drove the animals hard, this was something he would never normally do but at this moment his only concern was for Katherine. The bullocks where sweating and showing signs of great discomfort by the time the farm came into view. Some of the men who observed them knew that something was amiss for their boss to treat his animals this way. When they went past the stables Helmut saw Hugh Tall standing outside and called to him, ‘Hugh, go and get your Sarah and send her up to the house. I need her help with my wife.’

Sarah happened to be gathering eggs along the creek bank and heard this and so ran as fast as her legs would carry her after the cart. Helmut drove on past the wool shed up the hill to the front of the house. He gently lifted Katherine down who by this time was unable to stand. He carried her inside followed closely by Sarah. They went up the stairs and along the hall and into Katherine’s room,

‘Turn back the bed covers please Sarah.’ He laid her down on the bed and turning to Sarah he said, ‘Would you get Mrs Kruger into her nightgown. I will go and find Too Gum, try and keep her as warm as possible.’

Helmut was frantic with worry and set off in search of Too Gum. He found him in the kitchen and as briefly as possible told him what had happened. ‘Can you help Too Gum? I don’t know where else to turn. I shouldn’t have brought her back, we should have stayed in town, and if anything happens I just do not know what I will do.’

He was pacing backwards and forwards, up and down the kitchen, all the time wringing his hands.

So as to occupy him more than anything else Too Gum said, ‘You make plenty hot tea, I go and get things needed to make her better.’

‘Anything you want just ask, no don’t ask. Take whatever you want just make her better.’

Too Gum went straight to his room and from a shelf containing a variety of jars he selected two along with a small bowl and a wooden spatula. He then went to the linen cupboard under the stairs and found some old sheeting from there he went up to Katherine’s room. He courteously knocked on the door and then entered. Approaching the bed he could see that she was indeed running a very high temperature and her breathing was irregular. Sarah watched as he took a portion of the contents of each jar put them into the bowl and mixed them Turning to her asked, ‘Please tear off two pieces of sheet about this big,’ he indicated with his hands, ‘then lay them beside fire.’

Sarah did as she was bid. He then spread the mixture on these and held them up to the fire to warm.

‘Now you please velly gently turn Mrs Kruger on side and raise nightgown so I can place this on back.’

Once again Sarah did as asked and Too Gum applied the first poultice across Katherine’s back.

‘Now velly gently again while I hold poultice in right place you turn her onto back. First pull down night gown.’

Too Gum held the poultice with one hand while Sarah pulled down the night gown then Too Gum gently put his hand inside the back of the gown while Sarah pulled it right down.

‘Good, now turn her onto back.’

Sarah turned her while Too Gum held the poultice in place.

‘That velly fine, now open please front of nightgown while I heat other piece and we place on chest.’

If Sarah thought it was just a little bit unconventional that a Chinese cook should be taking such liberties she made no comment. Like Helmut she was very concerned for Katherine. They applied the second poultice and Sarah did up the nightgown. This procedure they repeated every six hours over the next two days, Helmut and Sarah taking turns to sit through the night. Nobody knew when Too Gum slept but he appeared to always be on hand.

They spooned as much fluid into her as possible and Sarah bathed her. By the third night Too Gum said, ‘I think now fever reach its height, it go either way, we have to just wait.’

Katherine tossed and turned and appeared to be burning up. By the morning her breathing became more regular and she became much calmer. Sarah and Helmut had sat on either side of the bed all night and during that time Sarah had observed Helmut, watching every move that Katherine made and she thought, I wonder if she loves him as much as he obviously loves her.

Katherine slowly opened her eyes and gave a weak smile. ‘How long have I been sick?’ she asked in barely a whisper.

‘You have sick for a few days my dear, but the main thing is you are better. Would you like something to drink?’

‘Yes, please.’

It was then that she noticed Sarah. ‘Sarah, how nice, have you been here with me all the time?’

‘Nearly all the time Mrs Kruger, I’m so pleased that you are better.’

‘Enough talking for now, you just get as much rest as you can. I have to go and thank a certain small Chinese man for saving my wife.’

Katherine smiled. All the time during the terrible journey home she knew if she could just make it back to the house and Too Gum’s care she would be all right. Sarah gave her something to drink and straightened the bed clothes and Katherine went into a peaceful sleep.

When she awoke much later in the day Sarah was sitting beside the bed just quietly reading. ‘Sarah I hope your parents don’t mind you being here all this time.’

‘Oh, you are awake again. No they don’t mind at all they said to stay as long as I was needed.’

‘I think I would like to sit in the chair by the fire. Would you get my dressing gown out the wardrobe for me Sarah?’

‘Of course, here let me help you. Just take it very quietly otherwise I will have Too Gum growling at me for tiring out his patient.’

‘Then we would both be in ‘velly’ much trouble.’

They both laughed at this and slowly Katherine moved to the chair. Sarah now took advantage of this and changed the bedding. When she had done this Katherine asked,

‘Where have you been sleeping while I have been ill?’

‘Don’t worry about me. I slept either on the mat in front of the fire or in one of the chairs.’

‘That’s terrible Sarah, you mean you have not had a proper sleep all that time.’

‘As I said you have no need to worry about me. At home I share a small double bed with my two sisters so the armchair was comfortable compared to that.’

Katherine suddenly had an idea. ‘Sarah would you like to stay on for a while at least until I am fully recovered?’

‘Of course I would.’

‘Well, you go home and check with your parents and if they agree bring back your things and you can have the room next door.’

‘You mean a whole room, just for me.’

‘Would you like that Sarah?’

Katherine had no need of an answer just the look on her face told her all she needed to know. That night for the first time in her life Sarah not only had an entire bed to herself but an entire room. Compared to Katherine’s room next door it was quite small but to Sarah it was enormous. Helmut had not minded Sarah moving in, anything that would make Katherine happy was agreeable with him.

Over the next few days Katherine regained her strength and was ready to come down stairs again for the evening meal. Helmut looked at her and said, ‘You have no idea how happy it makes me to have you well again.’

‘Thank you for all your care. You must be tired. Trying to run a farm and take care of me.’

‘Quite frankly Katherine the farm meant nothing to me while you were sick. If anything had of happened to you I would have walked away from it.’

She looked at him and smiled. ‘You are a good kind man Helmut I’m sure I don’t deserve you.’ If only I could get up now and go and wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him as I know I should. But I can’t do it she thought. How long will I have to carry this terrible burden of guilt? To change the subject she said, ‘I think I will be strong enough to begin the school next week.’

‘I really think you need more rest.’

‘Well, I thought that maybe I would start with just a half day for the first week.’

‘Only on the condition that you come home if you feel tired.’

‘I’m sure Sarah will be a big help.’

‘She seems to have fitted in quite well, don’t you think.’

‘Yes she has, and I think Too Gum enjoys her company. He doesn’t seem to mind having her share meals with him in the kitchen.’

‘You just keep her as long as you want, we will work out a suitable wage for her.’

By the end of the week Katherine was up all day and had begun her daily walks again and was feeling ready to begin the school. Word was sent through Sarah to the families in the valley that school would begin the following Monday morning.

Katherine rose early that morning and dressed ready for school. She put on a plain dark skirt and a white blouse and then pinned on a cameo brooch at the neck. Then she put on matching earrings. She surveyed her appearance in the mirror and decided to take off the earrings. They are a bit too frivolous she thought. After all I am supposed to be a teacher not going to a ladies tea party.

It had been decided that she would take the canary and leave him in the class. He might enjoy the company of the children she reasoned. She had asked Too Gum to pack her some cocoa, milk, sugar and enough mugs for each child. This was all done and ready for her. So with her books in a satchel in one hand and the canary in the other and Sarah carrying the mugs they set off for the first day at school. They walked down the hill past the farm sheds. The men now nodded and said ‘Good morning,’ to her which was an improvement on the first day she had ventured down when they had seemed afraid of her.

It was heart warming to see all the children standing waiting at the gate. All that is except the Brown boys. She did not know whether to be happy or sad about that. The children were all obviously a little nervous as they stood waiting at the gate. It was also apparent that their mothers had put quite a bit of effort into getting them ready. Each one stood with their hair neatly done, the girls with theirs in neat plaits while the boys looked a little self conscious with hair that was tidy instead of messy as was the usual way of things on the farm. The girls were wearing clean white aprons and each child carried a satchel of some sort. One of the men had found a school bell and it was in place by the door. Someone else had painted a sign saying ‘SCHOOL’ and it had been hung above the door.

‘Good morning children. We will just take these things indoors and prepare for class. When Sarah rings the bell would you all line up from the smallest to the oldest in that order.’

She went inside to find Fred stoking the fire.

‘Good morning Mrs Kruger. I hope you don’t mind me coming in to light the fire?’

‘Of course not Fred, it is delightful to come in and to find it so lovely and warm, where did this mat come from?’

‘My Mrs thought you might like it for in front of the fire.’

‘That is so kind of her. The children can sit there when I read them a story.’

Little did she know at that time what else was to happen on that mat that was to alter her entire life.

‘Well I will be on my way then. If you like I will light the fire each morning.’

‘Thank you Fred, that is most kind and please, thank your wife for the mat.’

She placed the box of things that Too Gum had prepared in the small lean-to scullery at the back. A large black kettle had been sent down earlier, this she filled with water and placed on the hob by the fire.

‘Now Sarah, it is 9 a.m. please ring the bell.’

Sarah went out side and with a feeling of great importance she rang the bell. This was heard all over valley. Katherine went to the door to find the children lined up as she had asked. ‘Come inside children and be seated the smallest at the front.’

They filed past her, each a tiny bit nervous but all happy to be here. They smiled shyly at her as they went indoors. Katherine shut the door and walked to the front of the class. ‘Good morning children.’

‘Good morning Mrs Kruger.’ They said in unison as they had all been instructed by their mothers to do.

‘I would like to begin each day’s class by you all taking turn about at telling me a little about yourselves. Please write about the things you like and do not like. Tell me if you have any hobbies that you enjoy. If you all do that then I will get to know you all a little better. We will start with the oldest, so Sarah could you prepare something for tomorrow morning?’

‘Yes Mrs Kruger.’

‘Thank you Sarah. I thought today I would begin by telling you all something about myself.’ So the morning progressed. The children sat in awe as she told them about her life as a small child in England. Time passed quickly and Katherine became aware that the kettle was beginning to sing. She looked at her watch that she had pinned to her blouse and noted that it was 10:30 p.m.

‘Well, children it appears it is time for recess, you may go outside for ten minutes, and you are excused.’

There was a scraping of chair legs and shuffling as they went outside. Katherine then set up the mugs and put a teaspoon of Cocoa in each; she made herself a cup of tea and sat by the fire. After ten minutes she rang the bell and the children all filed once more inside and took their seats.

‘Now class I would like two of you to act as monitors for the week, who would like to do that?’

Hands went up, then down, then up again until Katherine said, ‘How about Rachel and Becky. I am going to make the Cocoa and I would like you two to pass out the mugs. The rest of the class I would like you to sit on the floor on the mat while I read you a story.’

The thought of a story obviously held appeal and so they sat on the mat and each was handed a mug of hot Cocoa by Rachel and Becky who were feeling rather important having this greatness thrust upon them. They all sat entranced while Katherine read to them. Later she said to Helmut, ‘I don’t think any of them have ever had a story read to them before.’

After this was finished and the empty mugs were taken out to the scullery they all sat back in their seats again to begin a writing lesson.

‘Now children please open your desks and take out your slates and chalk. I am going to write the letters of the alphabet on the blackboard and I would like you all to copy them.’

She got no further in the lesson as she heard the unmistakable voice of Florrie Brown.

‘I will scalp the backsides of the lot of ya if ya don’t get in there right blooming now.’

The door was flung unceremoniously open and this big dirty woman literally pushed in the three boys. To give her credit though she had made them wash, not a wash in a tub in front of a fire but stripped off and in the freezing cold river. When they had run home blue with cold and shivering they each had been given a very rough hair cut. This unfortunately did nothing to improve their looks, but at least she had tried.

Turning to Katherine she said, ‘If they don’t behave kick their backsides and send them home to me.’

‘Thank you Mrs Brown I am sure we will cope,’ she said with much more confidence than she felt. ‘Boys I would like you each to take a seat, we have three left.’

The two older ones sat down but Dick who found that the only seat left was beside Judith, refused to sit. ‘I’m not sitting beside her.’

‘Dick please be seated.’

‘No I’m not sitting next to a girl.’

‘I am sure that Judith does not mind; now sit down when I tell you.’

‘I said I’m not sitting next to a girl.’

Katherine was just deciding on what course to take next when Sarah stood up walked over to Dick and walloped him around the ear. Staring him straight in the eye she said, ‘You listen to me Dick Brown, you either sit down, or I will take you back to your mother. I will, even if I have to drag you all the way on your bum. Do you hear me? That goes for you two as well if you don’t shut up.’ This she said to the two older boys who were sniggering at her. Whether it was the threat of facing their mother, or the thought of another slap around the ear, it worked. They became quiet and Dick sat down beside Judith although leaning out as far away from her as he could.

Order having been restored she again began the lesson. Katherine wrote some letters for them to copy and turned to face the class noting that Dick was trying to write with only one hand the other one being in his pocket.

‘Dick I think it would be much simpler if you held the slate with your other hand, then it would not move around.’

‘Can’t, Mrs.’

‘Why ever not? Take your hand out of your pocket.’

‘Can’t, Mrs.’

‘Dick I am beginning to get annoyed with you. I did not want this to happen on our first day. Take your hand out of your pocket, now.’

She heard Sarah’s chair scrape. ‘It is all right Sarah, I will handle this.’

Katherine felt she could not have Sarah stepping in every time her authority was questioned. ‘I am still waiting Dick.’ She should have known by the sniggers coming from the other two Brown boys that something was afoot. ‘Take your hand out of your pocket, now.’

Dick slowly brought his hand up and placed it on the desk top. Katherine noticed that his fist was clenched as though holding something.

‘What have you got in your hand?’

‘Nothing, Mrs.’

‘Don’t lie to me. I know that you have got something in there.’

‘Have not, Mrs.’

Katherine held out her hand. ‘Give me whatever it is you have in your hand…now!’

With an impish grin he placed his hand in hers. She was aware of something moving in her hand. The small mouse ran up her arm, across her shoulder, and down her back. For days after she could still feel those feet running down her back. She was not aware that she screamed or that she collapsed in a neat heap on the floor.

‘Oh blimey, I’ve killed her’ shrieked Dick as he made a bolt for the door.

Sarah grabbed him. ‘Sit down you stupid idiot she has only fainted. Becky bring me a glass of water. Rachel make some hot tea quickly.’

By this time Dick was sitting quietly crying. Katherine regained consciousness and with as much dignity as she could muster made her way to her chair where Rachel was waiting with a cup of tea. ‘Thank you Rachel, Sarah could you take over the class for a few minutes please.’

Sarah stood at the head of the class and no one would dare disobey her. There were no more incidents that day. After a short time Katherine took control again. She actually felt rather sorry for Dick he had obviously had a terrible fright and his ear, she noted, was bright red where Sarah had hit him.

The class was dismissed at midday. The story of Mrs Kruger and the mouse was told and embellished upon around every tea table in the valley that evening. Even Helmut who at first had been concerned when he heard she had fainted now saw the funny side. ‘You surely were not scared of a little itty bitty mouse were you.’ He said to her across the table during the meal.

‘It wasn’t that small.’ As she said it she realized how ludicrous that sounded and began to laugh as well. ‘You have no idea how scared I was that the mouse would come out again. I think that some of the children rather hoped it would.’

‘Don’t fret about that. I have taken Jeremiah down and left him in there for the night. Fred will let him out in the morning. I can guarantee you that there will be no mouse within a hundred yards of there in the morning.’

For the first week the class was dismissed at midday. After that they came back and stayed until mid afternoon. Friday afternoon’s Katherine always tried to make different and fun for the children. The favorite thing was to go behind the wool shed where there was flat piece of ground and they would play Long Ball. Too Gum would prepare them a treat to eat and if the weather was fine they sit and have a picnic, if not, then they would return to class for more hot cocoa. Whatever happened Katherine insured that they went home happy.

So life once again settled into a routine. Katherine was finding fulfillment and happiness in teaching the children. Although deep inside she felt a deep emptiness but this she would only admit to when alone in bed at night. Exactly what it was she needed she herself did not know, or would not admit to. Helmut continued to remain kind and considerate to her and denied her nothing but she was aware of a feeling of frustration within him as he came to realize that his feelings towards her were not going to be reciprocated. This in turn added to her feelings of guilt. She was sitting alone on the verandah enjoying the late summer sun and thinking about her life here in the hills. Life, she thought, is like a long journey, the final destination is always certain but there are so many different roads one can take to get there. Sometimes we turn to the left and the road is smooth and happy and then we may turn to the right and the road is full of bumps and hurts but whatever the case it always moves ever forward. Sometimes we make a decision which in itself is unimportant yet can have a disastrous outcome. One such decision would be made the following morning that would have such severe consequences as to change all their lives. and even to reach out to effect the next generation.