Anne Hampson - Enchanted Dawn

7/24/2019 Anne Hampson - Enchanted Dawn

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You're very much a man, Brand Royce,"

Teri said flippantly. "And in con-equence, I've no interest in you

whatsoever."

Brand’s eyes gleaed. "!air enough,Teri," he said soothly "At least wenow where we stand. But you ay#e passing up a wonderful opportun-ty" he oced. "I' a very eligi#le

#achelor."

$o what%" Teri snapped.

$o perhaps I find you attractive."

Teri fell silent. This conversation was#ecoing uch too intiate. $he

ast Brand a flicering glance fro



under her lashes. &e was silingaintly his eyes, huorous and yet

pro#ing, were soft in a way she hadnot noticed #efore.

I thin you should leave," Teri said

uddenly. ")ight now*"

++



/nchanted 0awn

Anne &apson



&arlequin 1resents edition pu#lished2arch 345$B6 7-+5+-57+8-9

econd printing $epte#er 3455Third printing 0ece#er 345:

;riginal hardcover edition pu#lished in

458y 2ills < Boon =iited

>opyright ? 3458 #y Anne &apson. All

ights reserved.hilippine copyright 345:. Australian copy-ight 345:.

/@cept for use in any review, the reproduc-ion or utiliation of this wor in whole orn part in any for #y any electronic,

echanical or other eans, now nown orereafter invented, including @erography,hotocopying and recording, or in any in-

oration storage or retrieval syste, is



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or#idden without the perission of theu#lisher.

All the characters in this #oo have no e@-stence outside the iagination of the au-hor and have no relation whatsoever tonyone #earing the sae nae or naes.

They are not even distantly inspired #y any ndividual nown or unnown to the au-hor, and all the incidents are purenvention.

The &arlequin tradear, consisting of theword &A)=/CI6 and the portrayal of a&arlequin, is registered in the Cnited

tates 1atent ;ffice and in the >anada

Trade 2ars ;ffice.

rinted in >anada



>&A1T/) ;6/

TA)$ in a velvet sy, e@otic perfues on

he drowsy air cicadas in the near#y ango trees and the distant prieval

ru#eat filtering the hush of an Africanight.

Teri stood on the #ac stoep, her #rood-ng eyes staring unseeingly into the su#-tance and shadow that lay #eyond the re-lected arc of light eitted #y the lanternsn the stoep. !ro the roo #ehind a an

oined her - a handsoe an, #road of



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houlder and serious of countenance. &isran #lue eyes, so lie Teri’s, also #rooded.

&is hand found her shoulder and she

urned, #urying her face against hi. Buthe ready tears were instantly checed andhe drew away, apologetic and contrite.

EFhat right have I to cry, or to lean on

ou for support%’ she #egan. EGon, willither of us ever recover%’

ETie heals,’ her #rother reinded her.Hes, we will recover.’ But his accents, low-oned and gentle, were edged with pain andewilderent rising fro the very depthsf hi. &is arriage had #een happy, his

wife devoted to their little daughter or soveryone had #een led to #elieve. It was no

wonder Gon failed to understand why )os-lind had run off with Jep !ranton,

Teri’s fiancK. EFe ight even coe to de-ide our weaness when, a long whileence, we discover our hearts weren’troen after all.’ &e dropped his hand fro



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er shoulder and Teri gaed into therowsy darness again, shaing her fairead in a gesture of despair.

EI suppose it is weaness,’ she agreed.Fere we strong we could have taen thelow stoically, ree#ering that we aren’the only ones upon who such isfortune

as fallen.’ &er thoughts went fleetingly toer laughing little niece, asleep in the #igedroo at the end of the house. At fourears of age Fendy was highly intelligentnd o#servant. $he had cried and cried forer other at first, #ut with the resiliencend swiftly-fading eories of early child-ood she had recovered, her affection forer aunt having helped, for Teri had ie-

iately given up her Do# and gone to house-eep for her #rother. It had not #een aleasant interlude, that three-onth peri-d iediately fol-lowing the scandalousehaviour of Jep and )osalind.



37 +

And then, only a onth ago, right out of he #lue, had coe the offer of Jarunda

!ar in the Transvaal and fro a ost

ne@pected source.EIf only I new where I had failed )os-

lind,’ Gon was saying in a sad reflectiveone. EI gave her plenty of oney, I helped

with Fendy, I too )osalind out’ &eroe off, and Teri guessed the reason washe ache rising in his throat - an ache with

which she herself lived practically all theie.

EFhat could they see in one another%)osalind, thirty, and Jep only twenty-our%’ The an should always #e older,

Teri thought. Jep was four years older

han she #ut si@ years younger than )os-lind. Het he wanted to arry )osalind, al-hough Gon had not yet ade up his ind

whether or not to divorce his wife. A #itter curve of her #rother’s lips and

hen,



33 +

EThere ust have #een soe attraction,Teri. And yet when I loo at you I don’t

now how Jep could have Dilted you - not

ven for )osalind.’6ot even for )osalind. 1ain wrenched

t Teri’s heart. Those words revealed souch. Gon was still in love with his wife.

E=iewise I can’t iagine anyone leavingou. I’ very sure you’ve #een a wonderfulus#and and father. )osalind didn’t now

ust how lucy she was.’ !or wonderfulus#ands were rare these days, Teri

used, deterined never again to trust aan as long as she lived.

EAt least we have each other.’ Gon leantgainst a wooden support at the end of the

toep. EAnd we’re e@ceedingly fortunate inaving a splendid far lie this passed tos. Fe ust wor hard, Teri, and not let

2irrie down.’Inclining her head in swift agreeent,

Teri found herself living again that half



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our or so when, astounding #oth hertepchildren, 2irrie had cally offered to

ae the a present of her far in $outh

Africa.2irrie had #een arried only four

onths to Leorge 2anders, and ost of his period had #een spent at Jarunda

!ar, a vast holding left to 2irrie #y herirst hus#and on his death three years pre-iously. $ince then it had #ecoe neg-ected, #ut on eeting and arrying Le-rge, when #oth he and she were on holi-

ay, 2irrie had hoped her new hus#andwould tae an interest in the far.

EIt is of course your father’s doineer-ng attitude that has #rought a#out this

ituation,’ 2irrie had declared, althoughhe affectionate glance she sent in his dir-ction ro##ed her words of their #ite. E&ensists on #eing the #readwinner, and saysust live in a hoe of his providing. $oere I a with the far on y hands.’ $he



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poe in e@pressionless tones, #ut #othTeri and her #rother new instinctively hat the offer was designed to provide the

with an anchorage at this ost crucial tien their lives. A new start, in a new country . hard wor and, eventually, forgetfulness.

EAnd to thin,’ urured Teri, spea-

ng her thoughts aloud, Ethat we were quitepprehensive when !ather wrote to say head arried - in haste. 0o you ree#er%’

Gon nodded.EHet the oent we saw 2irrie we were

appy for hi.’They had #oth refused 2irrie’s gener-

us offer, suggesting she sell the far andnvest the oney, #ut she had shaen her

ead. &er hus#and had wored so hard ont - had #uilt it up fro nothing. 6o, sheould not have strangers taing over.

Fe are strangers, thought Teri, advisinger stepother to eploy a anager.



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EI’ve had one in, for three years, and thelace has gone to ruin - alost,’ sheended swiftly.

EHou have no relatives to who youould give it%’ Gon had ased, and 2irriehoo her head.

E6one e@cept you,’ she returned gently,

nd added, glancing at her hus#and, EI’veiscussed this with your father - and I’velso given it uch private thought.’ $he

would have willed it to Leorge, she wentn, and therefore it would eventually have

oe to the. EHou ight as well have itow,’ she ended, #ut still the two were re-

uctant to accept so agnificent a gift.EIt doesn’t see right,’ Gon had #egun,

when his father interrupted hi.E2irrie wants it this way,’ he said, his

rey eyes oving fro Gon to Teri. T felt,s you do, that 2irrie should sell the far,ut as she won’t hear of it, and as this is

what she prefers I’ in full agreeent with



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er.’ An awward pause and then, EFe #e-eve that a coplete change of wor andnvironent will help you #oth.’ &e looed

t his daughter. E2irrie has a great under-tanding of your feelings, having once #eenlted as you were, Teri, practically on theve of her wedding. $he left /ngland - went

o $outh Africa to get a Do# and to forget.he found happiness and feels you will dohe sae. 1erhaps not in a siilar way,’ hedded in eotional tones as he noticed theuic glances of #oth his children, E#ut 2ir-

ie wants to help you and if you refuse toccept her offer it will #e selfish. I now hat sounds an odd thing to say, #ut it’s arue one for all that #ecause 2irrie has set

er heart on your aing soething of thear which her hus#and loved.’ &e paused,ut neither spoe. EI shall #e sorry to see

y children go so far away, #ut I now iny heart it’s for the #est.’



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Both Teri and Gon were still reluctant toccept the gift, and after they had taledhe atter over in private they put their

dea to 2irrie, who although plainly disap-ointed at the gift not #eing accepted un-onditionally, agreed to the coproise.

Teri and Gon would tae over the far, #ut

nly so long as 2irrie accepted a propor-ion of the profits. EThere won’t #e any largerofits for a while,’ she told the a littleadly. EHou’ll Dust a#out #e a#le to live, anderhaps have a little soething over for the

dd e@tra. I’ll agree to your proposal, if Iust, #ut I can’t accept any oney fro

ou for the first two years.’This was agreed upon, ainly #ecause

on and Teri were fully aware that in addi-ion to the far’s #eing in a neglected state,hey theselves were coplete novices

where faring was concerned.



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6o tie was wasted and now here they were, having arrived at Jarunda Dust over aortnight ago.

E&ave we done the right thing%’ Terirought her gae fro the spangle of lightshat had suddenly penetrated the thic #eltf trees fringing the #an of the $au#u

)iver which separated their neigh#our’sand fro Jarunda !ar. $o Brand )oyce

was hoe fro his visit to /ngland. Fhatwas he lie% A #achelor, 2irrie had said, aough and dedicated stoc-#reeder and cit-

us planter who lived for his wor and con-idered a woan’s usefulness #egan andnded with her function of procreating theace.

EFe got on fine with hi,’ 2irrie hadone on to say. EBut he’s a hard an, whoaes a lot of understanding. &e’s self-suffi-ient and, as I’ve said, he hasn’t uchpinion of woen.’



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Teri’s outh twisted and she thought,Fe’d have had little in coon anyway,ut as that’s his attitude we’ll have a#so-

utely nothing.’EHes, Teri, we’ve done right.’ &er #roth-

r’s answer #rought her ind fro theirnnown neigh#our and she nodded

#sently.EIf only the ne@t year or two were past,’

he whispered, tears escaping fro theloud of pain #ehind her eyes. $he hadoved Jep with all her heart, and he hadoved her - once - she was sure of it.trange that no one had noticed anything.

Fhenever the four of the were togetherJep and )osalind had #een friendly, #ut

hat was all. 6o surreptitious glances of af-ection, no anoeuvres to #e alone. Andet they ust have #een eeting secretly or soe tie. A onth to the wedding . . .nd with the flat all cosily furnished andhe wedding presents piling up ... Teri



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urned to her #rother. T dou#t if a year orwo will #e long enough,’ she addedespairingly.

E0on’t wish your life away, Teri dear,ot even for the #al of forgetfulness. It’s

ar too precious. =et’s throw ourselves intohis, and when we #egin to see the i-

roveents we’ve ade we shall at leastind soe copensation in achieveent.

This in itself ust surely itigate oururts.’

EIf only I hadn’t et Jep, and he’d

ever nown )osalind’ETeri, no #lae attaches to you. And (if"

s always so futile a word to use inisfortune.’

$he swallowed, her eyes again wander-ng to the lights which now appeared to #en in every roo of the white, colonial-tyle hoestead across the dar river. Het

Brand )oyce lived alone, so Teri had #een



87

old #y their house#oy, who seeed tonow every-thing.

EThe #ig #aas has a cousin who coes to

isit hi’ Garu had rolled his eyes untilhey seeed to #e all whites. EMery #eauti-ul, 2iss =inda, #ut he not want to arry er.’ The #oy shoo his head. E2aster

)oyce, he don’t have uch tie forwoen.’

And as she had no tie for en,hought Teri, it was ost unliely thathere would #e any neigh#ourly visits.

The following orning Teri went into;asville to do soe shopping, using thetation wagon they had #ought a few daysreviously. It was a ost disreputa#le con-

raption and, having early discovered thenadequacy of the #raes, Teri drove with@ceptional care. After paring it she wentff, first to the news agents, Gon having re-uested her to get hi a ledger.



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$everal custoers were #efore her, ands several cae in iediately after herhe was not quite sure of her turn. Fhen

he did eventually as for a ledger shepoe siultaneously with soeone else.

EA couple of pads of notepaper’ Theoice stopped at the sae tie as Teri

roe off.EI’ sorry,’ she urured, glancing at

he an, and autoatically noticing hisallness and his air of distinction. $he ges-ured with her hand, inviting hi to tae

is turn, which was evidently #efore hers.&e ade a siilar gesture and said,

E>arry on.’&ad the situation really registered Teri

would have acted differently, #ut her indwas on other things - on Jep, and )os-

lind, and the way they had acted towardson and herself. All the way to ;asvilleer thoughts had #een occupied with hernhappiness and #y the tie she had



88

rrived in town she was overcoe with theailiar eotional fatigue which alwaysollowed a dwelling on the recent past. &er

pty heart wept, her very soul seeing toe drained of all #ut despair. And yethrough it all she new her #rother’s situ-tion was vastly worse than hers.

EI went out of turn,’ she urured tohe tall an at her side and, to her sur-rise, she heard an indrawn #reath of i-atience and the an actually turned hisac on her, waling to the other side of

he shop. It then dawned on Teri that herction had #een rather lie refusing a seatn a #us after soeone had risen to offer ito her. Blushing hotly, she ade her re-

uest and, on #eing served, quicly left thehop.

$trangely, the incident reained wither, #ecause she had ade a fool of herself,nd with this thought occupying her indhe copletely forgot a#out the #raes



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when, having finished her shopping, sheegan to drive out of the town. In front of er a long low white car was travelling at

n average speed and when it stopped sud-enly as a child ran into the road, Teri wenttraight into the #ac of it. The #up un-erved her, #ut she anaged to get out,

ealiing to her disay that a crowd ainly ade up of natives was already #eginningo gather round. !ro the white car a longthe #ody eerged and Teri looed up to

ace the an she had seen in the shop. It

was too ortifying* $he wanted to sin ight into the earth.

E$o it’s you again.’ &is disdainful glanceliced her #efore he turned to survey the

aage done to his car. The #uper hadaen the #runt of the ipact, #ut #oth hisear laps were sashed.

T’ terri#ly sorry. ...’ $he was tre#lingnd her legs were lie Delly. $he felt hot allver her shirt and Deans seeed to #e



89

ticing to her #ody. $he would have liedo get #ac into the station wagon and sitown, #ut she supposed the an would #e

wanting her nae and address. T didn’t e@-ect you to stop.’

E;#viously.’ A pair of hael eyes re-arded her flushed face with a sort of #ored

ntolerance. EFoen never do now whato e@pect. They Dust drive - regardless.’

&er chin lifted at that. $he said icily,EIf you have a piece of paper I’ll give you

y nae and address.’&is eyes glinting at her tone, he said,EFe’ll forget it,’ and he added, E=et’s

ope our paths don’t cross again.’ And withhat he waled away and, sliding into his

ar, drove off, leaving Teri practically sur-ounded #y grinning, curious natives. Theolour had left her face and she held a hando her chest as a pain shot through it. $he

ust have coe into sharp contact with theteering-wheel, she thought a#stractedly,



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etting into the wagon. $ounding a loudlast on the horn she eased forward therowd oved out of her way and she was

gain following the car, driving slowly #e-ause she was still considera#ly shaen.

;nce out of the town the white car shothead, very soon leaving her far #ehind.

$o #ad was the general condition of herwn vehicle that the added daage wasn’tven noticea#le and in view of this Teri saw o reason for worrying Gon with an accountf the accident, especially as the an had

ot taen her nae and address. But shewas white and shaen and she sighed withelief when Garu said Gon was out with theractor harrowing the ealies.

E2iss Fendy is with hi,’ Garu said.$he lies riding on the tractor with theaas.’

After a rest Teri felt uch #etter andhe #usied herself with the lunch. But herhoughts ept reverting to her two



8

ncounters with that hateful an. 6everad she et anyone so sarcastic, so iperi-us, and if it was his wish that their paths

hould never cross again it was Teri’s fer-ent wish also.

At half-past one Gon cae in, tired andot after hours under a ruthless glaring

un. The #ac of his shirt was soaed, hisyes red fro the dust that had #lown intohe.

EI’ll tae a turn this afternoon,’ sheffered, #ut Gon shoo his head.

EHou’ve enough to do with the poultry nd the house and Fendy.’ &e glancedown at his daughter. The heat did notee to affect her, only in that she had

lready acquired a #eautiful tan and theair hair was #leached alost white at theront, as was her aunt’s.

EIt was lovely on the tractor,’ she siled,aing her aunt’s hand and #ringing it to



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er chee. EThe #oys were in the field withs and they sang all the tie and I lied it.’

Teri siled and ruffled her hair.

EA wash, young lady, and a change of ress #efore you have your eal.’

EAll right. $hall I do it yself%’EMery well -#ut ree#er your nec.’

Fendy chucled and touched herhroat.

EI always have a line, don’t I%’EA tidear, yes,’ agreed her father. But

oth he and Teri #elieved in allowingFendy to do things for herself, and as long

s she had a #ath every night they did notrou#le very uch a#out her Eline’ as shealled it not unless they were going into

own, that was.E;ur neigh#our called this orning,’

on said when they had all sat down tounch. E&e drove into the yard Dust as I wasriving off with the tractor, so he wouldn’ttay. Hou only Dust issed hi.’



8:

EFhat’s he lie%’ Teri ased the question#sently. $he wasn’t in the least interestedn their neigh#our - the an who had no

ie for woen.EA daned nice #loe. $aid he’d

watched the far go down the nic and itad infuriated hi #ecause the previous

wner - 2irrie’s hus#and - had lived for it.&e proised any help we ight require.

ve ased hi over for drins this evening,’on ended, and Teri inclined her head toide the sudden frown crossing her #row.

he refrained fro aing any protest,owever, #ecause although she herself hado desire to eet their neigh#our she felte would #e good for Gon. A an needed a

an’s copany. Also, in view of their ine@-erience the assistance and advice of a ane Brand would undou#tedly #e helpful,lthough Teri did hope he would not carry is helpfulness to the point where it coulde tered interference.



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EHou told hi we were #rother and sis-er%’ she ased.

EHes.’ A sall pause. E&e saw Fendy

nd I realied he was puled #ecause Iadn’t entioned a wife. $o I told hi I

was widowed.’Teri #lined.

EBut’EA an doesn’t go a#out telling

trangers his wife has waled out on hi,’nterrupted Gon defensively, and so a#-uptly that Teri refrained fro saying any-hing ore on the su#Dect.

Brand )oyce arrived after dinner. Teriwas in the itchen preparing soe light re-reshents for the to have with their

rins and she didn’t see the white car orear their visitor telling her #rother that head dined at the clu# in ;asville and hadalled on his way #ac, hence the use of thear. &aving finished her tas she walednto the lounge, forcing herself to sile.



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he stopped dead the sile was wipedro her face.

ETeri,’ #egan her #rother, Eeet Brand’

&e stopped. EIs anything wrong%’It wasn’t true* 6o, it could not possi#ly

appen*Brand was actually siling, although

he sile could scarcely #e called friendly.t was in fact one of rather sardonic ause-

ent designed, she decided, to ae hereel e@ceedingly sall.

EFe have et,’ drawled Brand, offering

er his hand.)eluctantly she too it, staring at hi

nd taing in details of his appearance forhe first tie. $evere features and sun-

anned sin a lined and aristocratic fore-ead into which his dar #rown hair cut aroinent widow’s pea. &is outh was

ir, his Daw square and rigid his haelyes reflected the auseent already por-rayed in his lay sile.



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E& - &ow do you do,’ she staered,ware of her #rother’s questioning gae -nd aware that #y these words she had

nce ore ade a fool of herself.E0o you care, 2iss 2anders%’ Brand

uied, and a flush rose, highlighting theelicate contours of her face, #ut her sap-

hire eyes were coolly surveying hi, andt his added, EI wonder%’ they glinted withpecs of chipped ice. The an was rude,nd she wondered why he didn’t turn rightound and tae hiself off now that even

nother encounter had occurred #etweenhe.

EFhat’s all this%’ Gon wanted to now,ewildered.

Teri withdrew her hand, #ut not #eforehe had aditted that their guest had the

ost shapely hands of any an she hadnown.



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E2r. )oyce and I et in town thisorning.’ But she looed away, reluctant to

nlarge on that.

E2et%’ frowned Gon. EHou never en-ioned it when I was telling you Brand wasoing this evening.’

EI didn’t now that the an who -

who’ $he stopped, and with increasinguseent Brand e@plained,

EFe had a slight accident with our re-pective vehicles, #ut it was nothing.’

That wasn’t sufficient and Teri resign-

dly related the whole - #ut neither she norBrand entioned the encounter in thehop. Teri sat down and the en did lie-

wise, Gon clearly trou#led a#out the

ccident.EHour car was daaged%’ &e put the

uestion to Brand, #ut his eyes rested onis sister’s flushed countenance.

EIt was nothing,’ repeated Brand. E=et’sorget all a#out it.’



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Teri new she should have rewardedi with a grateful glance, #ut she had no

ntention of doing so. $he did not lie the

an and she was very sure she never woulde hi. &owever, he was here, and good

anners deanded she #e in soe eas-re gracious to hi, although it was an ef-

ort, and when he and Gon went off into aiscussion on the #est and speediest way of epairing the daage done to the far overhe past three years she was quite contento sit and listen. But as the discussion pro-

ressed she #egan to #ristle inwardly.Brand )oyce o#viously thought he new verything* And when he advised Gon tooncentrate on crops rather than stoc she

nterrupted with,EThe previous owner specialied in

airy-faring, so I feel we should follow is e@aple.’

0ar eyes were turned to regard herwith the sort of inquiring loo that plainly



+9

evealed the fact that Brand assued thear #elonged to her #rother.

EJenneth 0owns had a fine pedigree

erd, #ut that has gradually decreased, ow-ng to the anager’s neglect. To replaceuch a herd would cost a sall fortune,

which your #rother infors e he doesn’t

ave. 2aie is what you want, on a#out half he land, that is, and the other - I suggestou plant citrus trees.’ &is attention re-urned to Gon, who was looing a trifle un-oforta#le. EThe land will tae soe

learing, though, #ecause it’s #een allowedo lie uncultivated for over two years, andt’s practically returned to the originalushveld.’

EHou yourself have cattle,’ Teri softly ointed out. The dar eyes glinted. Before

Brand could spea Gon ade a hurriedntervention.

EBrand has e@plained, Teri. It taesoney to #uild up a herd lie that.’ &e



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hoo his head. E6o, we’ll have to go slowly,nd I thin aie is a good idea #ecause weeed the turnover. >itrus fruit would #e a

ood long-ter policy, you thin%’ &elanced at Brand, who nodded, his eyestill on Teri, who lowered her head, oreo hide her e@pression of anger than any-

hing else.EFe do have soe cattle,’ she couldn’t

elp saying. EFe could #reed ore frohat.’ An awward silence followed and sheelt forced to end it. EI prefer i@ed faring

or a start.’E!or a start%’ The faint hint of depreca-

ion in Brand’s voice did nothing for herising teper.

ECntil we can rear a decent herd of attle.’ $he was #eing deli#erately o#stin-te, she new, and the only e@cuse sheould find was that the an’s superiornowledge riled her.



+

Gon frowned at her. &e was #eginningo show ipatience and it was alost withelief that Teri heard a sudden cry fro the

nd #edroo. &er #rother looed at her,uled.

EThat’s not lie Fendy. $he usually leeps the cloc round without waening.’

E$he had toothache this orning. I e@-ect it’s returned. I’ll tae her to the dentistoorrow.’ Teri was already on her feet.

2aing a stiff apology to their guest, sheeft the roo.

EFhat is it, darling%’ Teri put on theght and saw that Fendy was sitting up ined.

E2y tooth.’ Fendy stopped crying and

pened her outh. EIt hurts awfully.’EFe ust tae you to the dentist toor-

ow.’ $he sat down on the #ed, wonderingwhat to do to give the child relief. $he hadried to #uy soe Dunior aspirins this

orning, #ut the shop was sold out.



+5 +

EI can’t go to sleep, Auntie Teri. Fill youtay with e%’

E;f course,’ returned Teri soothingly.

But Dust let e tell 0addy, then he won’t #ewondering what’s wrong.’

$he returned to the lounge, where #othen were seated #y the open window.

EIs it her teeth%’ ased Gon [email protected] nodded.

E$he wants e to stay with her. I wish Iad soething to ease the pain.’

E1ut a #read poultice on her face,’ ad-ised Brand, speaing as if Teri had noense at all, and she lifted her chin, aparle entering her eyes.

EThat’s an idea,’ agreed Gon. EThe

warth will help.’EHes, I suppose it will,’ she was forced to

dit, and it seeed that a glier of tri-ph entered Brand )oyce’s e@pression.



+:

EI’ iagining things,’ she told herself ater as she prepared the poultice. EGust #e-ause I don’t lie the an.’

Fith the application of the poulticeFendy’s face cleared iraculously.

EIt’s a lot #etter,’ she said after a o-ent or two. EFill I have to have y tooth

ut toorrow%’ $he had #een to the dentistefore and was not in the least afraid. EI’llet a penny, then, won’t I%’

Teri siled.EI iagine the fairies will give you soe

oney in e@change for the tooth.’E=ast tie the dentist didn’t give e y

ooth.’ Fendy pouted at the recollectionnd added, EFill you ae hi give it to

e this tie, Auntie Teri%’E;f course.’ $he looed at her niece, so

all in the #ig #ed, which was part of theurnishing left #y 2irrie. In fact, very few f her things had #een shipped to /ngland,nd although the furniture was old it was



+4

ood, and Teri lied it uch #etter thanny odern stuff she could have #ought in

;asville.

EFhy do the fairies want teeth%’ asedFendy, holding the poultice to her face.

EI e@pect they find a use for the,’iled Teri.

E$usan used to say they sold the to thei@ies - her uy told her that, #ut y

uy said they Dust ept the in a #igo@’ $uddenly her face pucered and shetarted to cry. Teri felt a wrench of pain iner heart. EFhere is y uy, Auntie

Teri% Fill she #e coing #ac soon%’EFe ust #e patient, darling.’ Teri felt

nadequate, as she always did when this

uestion was ased. !ortunately it was notften, for Fendy was fast forgetting her

other.E0addy eeps saying she’s gone on a

oliday - #ut it’s a very long holiday.’ Theoultice slipped and Teri fi@ed it again.



97

Fendy’s lovely #lue eyes were still filedwith tears and Teri dried the with a

anderchief. That Gon should have to lie .

it was so dreadful, and yet what could heay to his child%

EIs your toothache quite gone now%’ Terised, changing the su#Dect. Fendy nod-

ed vigorously, her fair curls flying a#outn enchanting disorder.

EHes - #ut stay with e - please.’EAll right.’ Teri looed at a #oo fro

which she had earlier #een reading. E$hallwe have soe ore of Billy the Bear%’

Again Fendy nodded Teri too away he poultice, put Fendy #ac on the pillow nd, tucing the cover around her, #egan to

ead. Fithin a few inutes Fendy doednd soon she was fast asleep. Teri closedhe #oo, laid it on the ta#le and quietly lefthe roo.



>&A1T/) TF;

;6 her return to the lounge Teri noticed

hat her #rother had #rought the refresh-ents in fro the itchen, and after #othen had risen on her entry, and Teri hadaen possession of a chair #y the window,t was Brand who handed her the plate of andwiches.

EThan you.’ $he helped herself andeant #ac in her seat.

E0id the poultice do the tric%’ Brand

sed, and Teri nodded her head.



98 +

EHes - than you.’ The hesitation did notass unnoticed and Brand looed hard ater, in a faintly puled sort of way.

EI’ve given your #rother the address of he dentist in ;asville. There are two, #uthe other one doesn’t have a very goodae, and in any case he’s not sufficiently

atient with children.’ A sall silence fell and Teri sent their

uest a surreptitious glance fro under herashes. &e was thoughtful she gained thepression that he was deciding he lied

on #ut was #y no eans enaoured of hisister. &e spoe at length, inviting thever to >andida =odge the following !riday vening.

EIt isn’t anything foral,’ he went on,ust a few friends coing in for a sun-owner. It will give you #oth an opportun-

ty of eeting one or two people lieourselves.’ &e glanced at Teri. EI e@pectou have a #a#y-sitter%’



9+ +

2any of the #oys lived on the far,with their wives and failies, and it would

ot #e difficult to arrange for one of those

wives to coe in, #ut Teri had no desire foropany neither Brand’s nor his friends’

and so she shoo her head, thaningBrand for the invitation, #ut declining it.

on’s head Dered in surprise and Teriwiftly glanced away.

EFe could as one of the woen,’ heegan, #ut Teri firly shoo her head.

EHou ust go, Gon, #ut I prefer to stay

with Fendy.’ A sall uneasy silence followed, Brand

egarding her eenly through half-closedyes, his thin lips pursed. Then he

hrugged his shoulders.EHou’ll coe%’ he inquired of Gon, who

odded, #ut frowned too, at his sister’sent head. >learly he was puled #y Teri’s

ared coolness towards their visitor. $ud-enly all three #ecae alert, ears strained.



99

Brand was the first to spea, asingharply,

EFhat’s wrong with that anial%’ /ven

s he stopped speaing the cry of pain cutnce ore into the silence.

EI don’t now.’ Gon was an@ious, #ut hisace cleared in a second. &e was glad of

heir neigh#our’s presence, that was very lain. EIt’s #een aing that noise on andff for the greater part of the day.’

EIt’s in calf%’ Brand was frowning heav-y, and his ears were still coced.

EHes, #ut the calf’s not due for anotherwo onths - not according to Gohnson,ur head #oy.’

EGohnson should now, of course’

Brand #roe off as the cry rent the silencegain. ECnless I’ very uch istaenhere are going to #e coplications. &aveou a lap%’ Brand eased his long slenderody fro the chair as Teri went into theitchen to fetch the lap, which she



9 +

anded to hi. EI’ll tae a loo,’ he said,nd oved towards the door. Gon followed,ut reappeared within a few inutes as-

ng for another lap.EIs it soething serious%’ Teri #ent

own to tae a lap fro a cup#oard.EBrand thins the calf will have to #e

rought at once.’EBrought%’ Teri straightened up, staring

t her #rother. EHou ean it’ll #ereature%’

EThat’s right.’ Gon too the lap fro

er outstretched hand.EBut we can’t #ring it. Fe don’t now a

hing a#out #ringing a calf.’ Already sheaw #oth cow and calf dying and was en-

ally calculating the cost.EFe’ll not worry our heads a#out that

ntil we’ve heard what Brand has to say,’nd Gon went off, plainly convinced that

Brand would see the through their diffi-ulty. And he did. !ive inutes later he and



9

on were #ac at the house, Gon asing Terio find Brand a pair of overalls. EI saw you

washing a pair of ine yesterday those

will do.’Teri fetched the and Brand too the

ro her, asing where he could change.Gon too hi to his #edroo, Teri

watching their departure thoughtfully. Itwas e@ceptionally good of Brand to #other

iself a#out their cow, especially as hewas here on a social visit. Fhat would have

appened had he not #een here% she

wondered, her heart Dering. Assuredly hey would have suffered a great loss.

EIf you happen to have yet anotherap,’ Brand said on eerging fro the

edroo, Ethen fetch it out to e.’ &is tonewas #ris, coanding. EThere used to #e

lectricity in all the #uildings,’ he frowned.That forean ust have neglected it foroe reason though why I can’t iagine.

Hou should have it seen to, Gon - the wires



95 +

enewed, if that’s all that is necessary &ewent out, rolling up the sleeves of the over-

ll as he did so.

They had another lap, #ut as it hadot #een in use for a long while it too Terien inutes or so to clean and fill it, #utventually it was woring and she went out

o the shed with it, where the cow now wasnd, unthiningly, she stood in the door-

way holding up the lap in order to giveBrand ore light. &ad her ind not #eeno a#sor#ed with the possi#le loss she

would ost certainly have put the lapown, or handed it to her #rother. Brand,lready e@aining the cow, turned, hisrows lifted, waiting. Teri ade no ove

nd presently he said,E1ut it down and then you can go.’E;f course.’ Thanful that her swift rise

f colour ust escape hi, Teri ade aasty departure. ;#viously he would notring the calf while she stood there, looing



9:

n, and it struc her that once again shead ade a fool of herself. $he should have

ade herself scarce as a atter of course,

ot waited to #e told to do so.Two and a half hours later the en re-

urned to the house, Gon relieved andappy and Brand appearing faintly tired

fter his struggle.EIs there plenty of hot water%’ Gon ased

nd, when Teri nodded, EI’ll show you theathroo, Brand,’ #ut Brand said he new

where it was.

EThe calf%’ Teri #egan when she and Gonwere alone.

E!ine, and so is the cow. Brand’s a ar-el, Teri,’ he stated enthusiastically. EI

watched hi carefully as he told e to -o that I’d now what to do if a siilar situ-tion should arise in the future.’

EHou could now #ring a calf%’ Fith aart of eory Teri saw hi, ready for theffice - grey suit, white shirt and a so#er tie



94

eatly notted and fastened with a pin.Fhat would )osalind thin of her hus#and

ow% Teri wondered, feeling proud of hi,

nd oddly happy for hi #ecause of thisoo of satisfaction on his face the loo f soeone who has successfully a#sor#eduseful lesson.

EI’d have a go in an eergency yes, I’ure I could #ring a calf.’ &is custoary eriousness was present, #ut so was a new agerness, and it seeed to Teri that this

was the first sign of a lifting of the leaden

weight he had carried since the day of hisoss.

Fhen Brand returned to the lounge, inis own clothes, and o#viously having

washed his hair while taing a #ath, Teri@pressed her gratitude.

EThan you very uch for your help,2r. )oyce. Gon tells e we’d have lost #othow and calf if it hadn’t #een for you.’ $he

was polite #ut distant. The erest



7

nclination of his head was Brand’s only ac-nowledgeent of her thans, and he i-

ediately turned to Gon.

EI’ll #e over in the orning to tae aoo at the cow, #ut she should #e all right.

Hour calf’s fine.’ 0eclining the drin whichon urged hi to have, he #ade the #oth

ood night and left. A few inutes later thewheels of the car crunched on the gritty

aed earth of the yard and then the tail-ghts could #e seen through the side win-ow of the lounge.

Gon looed at his sister eenly and said,EHou don’t lie Brand, do you, Teri%’E=ie%’ Fhy should the question cause

er to #ristle lie this% It was clear that Gon

nd Brand were going to get along well to-ether and Teri saw no sense in telling herrother of her dislie of Brand. EI’ quite

ndifferent to hi, Gon. &e’s Dust anotheran, after all.’ At the #itterness in her

oice Gon decided not to continue with the



3 +

u#Dect and in any case it was now alostne o’cloc in the orning and high tiehey were #oth in #ed.

True to his word Brand called the followingorning, riding into the yard on a #eautifulhestnut gelding. Teri was returning fro

he chicen run, a pail in her hand. &avingeen engaged in cleaning out the coop andlacing clean straw in the nest #o@es shead felt hot and dusty and had autoatic-lly opened the front of her shirt, and it

wasn’t until, she approached Brand andoticed his eyes travel fro her throatownwards that she hastily #egan fu#ling

with the #uttons. Brand disounted and

sed for her #rother.E&e’s in the ealies. I don’t thin he e@-

ected you quite so early.’ Fhat a #ig ane was, standing there #eside the horse.

Teri’s eyes lifted to his profile, dar andquiline his face was firly chiselled and



8 +

roned, his eyes narrowed against the sunnd fleced at the corners with crinly lineshat could very well have #een etched #y

uour, #ut Teri suspected they haderely grown with aturity, for Brand wasn his iddle thirties, so 2irrie had said.

Teri’s gae oved to his ars, #are to

#ove the el#ows, his shirt sleeves #eingolled up. They too were #roned, and

uscled. Brand )oyce possessed all thevidence of tough outdoor living, and inddition he was Dust a#out as good- looing

s any an could #e. If ever he should de-ide his #achelor e@istence was lacingoething, then the woan on who hisyes lighted would have all she could desire

n her hus#and - at least, appearance- wise.EI’ll tae a loo at the cow.’ =eaving her,

Brand strode towards the shed, disappear-ng as he reached the corner of the house.

After #econing to one of the #oys and as-ng hi to tell Gon Brand was here Teri



+ +

went indoors to prepare coffee, and #y theie it was ready #oth en were in theard, taling.

EHou can let her out into the field,’Brand was saying. E$he’ll #e all right now.’&e glanced up as Teri appeared she car-ied the tray to the stoep and they all sat

own in the shade, Fendy looing hardnd long at their visitor until, presently, heaughed.

EFhat’s the atter, Fendy, don’t youe the loo of e% - or is it Dust that you

an’t ae up your ind%’ A diple peeped. Fendy piced up her

offee cup and put it to her outh, stilltaring at hi.

EI lie you,’ she declared at last. EFillou #e y uncle%’

EI shall #e delighted to #e your uncle.’ Fendy thought a#out this.E&ave you any other children%’ she

sed, and naturally this led to laughter



9 +

ro #oth Brand and Gon. Brand’s eyeslicered to Teri’s face she felt he was won-ering why she too had not laughed. 1er-

aps he considered her suly, she thought,nd shrugged in-wardly. &is opinion was of o iportance to her.

EI have two ore nieces,’ he said, re-

urning his attention to Fendy. EAnd I alsoave a nephew.’

EA nephew%’ Fendy wrinled her #row.That’s a #oy niece, isn’t it%’

EThat’s right, it is.’ Fendy sipped her coffee, then held out

he cup to Teri who topped it up with il.EI didn’t thin it was too hot, Fendy.’EIt was Dust a #it.’ &er #ig sapphire

yes had again settled on Brand’s face.&ow old are your nieces%’

E$elena’s five and Jaren’s seven.’EFill they play with e%’EI e@pect they’ll play with you when they

oe to visit e.’



+

E0on’t they live with you in your housever there%’

E6o, Fendy, they live in Gohannes#urg.’

$he frowned.’Is that a long way%’E!airly.’E0rin your coffee,’ said Gon as Fendy

pened her outh again. E2r. )oyce

oesn’t want to #e #othered with any oreuestions.’

EIt isn’t 2r. )oyce it’s Cncle )oyce’he #roe off. E6o, that isn’t right. Fhat’sour real nae%’ Fatching Brand, Terioted the auseent in his eyes. &e liedhildren, she discovered, and wonderedhat he preferred to reain a #achelor. E2y eal nae’s Brand.’

ECncle Brand. ...’ Fendy consideredhis. EThat’s a very nice nae.’

ELlad you lie it.’E>an I coe and see your house, Cncle

Brand%’ ased Fendy as he was leaving. EI



+

an nearly ride a pony, so I’ll #e a#le tooe any tie.’

Brand laughed and ruffled her hair.

EHour dad will #ring you over soeie.’ &e glanced at Gon. E0rop in whenou have an hour to spare and tae a loo round.’

EThans, I will.’ Fith a Egood#ye, little girl,’ to Fendy,

Brand nodded coolly to Teri, who thanedi for calling, and then he was in theaddle and with a final lift of his hand heode away.

EIt was good of hi to call.’ Gon glancedt Teri as he spoe.

EIt was. I did than hi,’ she added.

E$o I noticed.’6othing ore was said until the day #e-

ore Brand’s little inforal party, when Gonaid that he’d #een speaing to Goseph, onef the far #oys, who had said his wife



5 +

would #e willing to coe in and #a#y-sitor the.

EI don’t really want to go visiting.’ Teri

was o#stinate, she new, #ut she was noteeling socia#le at this tie in her life cer-ainly she was not feeling socia#le to en.

EHou can’t refuse, Teri.’ Gon appeared a

rifle distressed. EHou can’t tae it out of allen, you now.’

$he siled then, apologetically.EI do now,’ she aditted. EBut I’ not

eady to tae indly to the ale se@. It’stupid, as you’re suggesting, I do realiehat, #ut I Dust want to avoid en’sopany.’

EThe change will do you good,’ Gon per-

uaded, #ut Teri shoo her head, reind-ng hi that she had already refused and,herefore, Brand would not #e e@pectinger. EFhen I was over at his place yester-ay,’ Gon told her, Ehe entioned it again,sing what o#Dection we had to a #a#y-



: +

itter I said I’d try to ae you changeour ind.’

$he #it her lip, wishing Gon had not

one that.E$o he’s e@pecting e%’EI wasn’t e@actly definite, #ut I did say

hat I thought you would #e there.’ Teri

ave an audi#le sigh and her #rother ad-ed persuasively, EThere are #ound to #e

woen there for you to eet, and if we’reo reain at Jarunda we’ll have to #eocia#le.’

It was unfair to Gon for her to persist inhis attitude, she new, for Gon neededopany. At hoe he and )osalind hadntertained often, and Teri surised the

wrench of losing all his friends ust haveeen pretty gri, for he had lost the - in-entionally it was true, having iediately

withdrawn fro the circle to which he andis wife had #elonged.



4 +

EMery well,’ she agreed, EI’ll coe withou.’

&aving ade up her ind Teri dis-

overed to her surprise that she was quiteooing forward to the prospect of eetingther woen. Already she had et a young

arried woan whose hus#and had a

all far on the other side of ;asville.he was 0enise Malentine, and it was she

who had told Teri a little a#out the life innd around ;asville. Fould she #e at theinner party% Teri wondered. 0enise had

entioned Brand, griacing, Teri recalled,s she coented on the fact that while he

was not ipartial to woen, he did seeent on retaining his #achelor state.

All the lights were on in Brand’s house asTeri and her #rother, having crossed theiver #y a #ridge ade of rope and logs, ap-roached the front door of >andida =odge.

!lowers #looed everywhere, #orderin



7

ooth lawns and neatly-paved paths.preading awa into the dar infinity of us were his fields of citru trees, with here

nd there a row of assive yellow- woodsr ancient oas.

$everal cars stood on the sweeping,rilliantly- illuinated half-circle of pave-

ent outside the house and fro inside theound of laughter and tal could #e heard.

Autoatically Teri glanced down at herress. 6ot having thought a#out socialctivities she had left #ehind ost of her

oral wear and now she had on a floweredotton dress, tight-waisted and slightly lared, with a high nec #ut no sleeves. Itung on her, rather, for she had lost weight

ince her #rea with Jep. And the col-urs, instead of giving a #rightness to hereatures, seeed to accentuate their pallor.

!ro soewhere within, Brand ap-roached the open front door, siled andade the enter.



3 +

EI’ glad you could ae it,’ he said toTeri, glancing over her with a swift yet een@aination. EAnd now, let e introduce

ou to the other guests.’There were three couples. Goan and

=arry 0aley, who had a dairy far adDoin-ng Brand’s on the other side Hvonne and

0avid 2arsh, who were retired and livedust outside ;asville, and, to Teri’s de-ght, 0enise and her hus#and, 1aul.

EFe already now each other,’ 0eniseold Brand, and went on to e@plain how

hey had et. 1aul watched his wife as shepoe and it was easy to see that he adoreder.

Teri’s ind flew to Jep, and for a

leeting oent she was overcoe withistress. =ife was so epty, so futile, shehought, and in that instant her eyes ethose of Brand. &e gaed at her, pulednd inquiring. And then, surprisingly, heiled, a little crooed sile caused #y the



8 +

uir of his outh to one side, a anner-s she had not noticed until now. ;n

Teri’s face a difficult sile #roe and

Brand’s eyes flicered. $he could sile,hen, he was pro#a#ly thining as he aseder what she would have.

EA soft drin, please.’ $he spoe quietly,

entatively, her sile still hovering.Toato-Duice - or leon.’

&e nodded and fliced a hand towardscouch. Teri and Gon sat down and, #eingewcoers to the country, they were plied

with questions - polite and su#tle ques-ions, #ut containing curiosity, which wasatural.

EHes, I’ widowed,’ Gon was saying to

=arry, who sat ne@t to hi on the couch.EAnd you,’ put in Goan, looing at Teri,

you decided to houseeep for yourrother%’



+ +

EHes.’ $he at least could spea truthfully.There’s Fendy, you see, Gon’s four-year-ld daughter.’

E1erhaps you’ll #oth find partners here,’aid Hvonne, siling, whereupon her hus-and pointed out that there were few eople unattached, either ale or feale,

round these parts.Teri had stiffened at the suggestion and

gain she caught Brand looing curiously t her. &e sensed soe ystery, she sud-enly new, and looed away, through thepen glass doors to where the distant hills

elted into the purple of invading night./@otic trees and shru#s nodded andwhispered and lavishly gave off their per-

ues. The dus was intense, priitive,nd fro its depths appeared the oths tolutter round the lights of the stoep andven to invade the roo itself.



9

EHou #ought the far fro 2irrie%’sed 0avid of Gon, who shoo his headediately.

E2irrie arried y father she ased uso coe here and tae over Jarunda. Fe’re

couple of novices,’ he went on with ariace, E#ut we’re ost fortunate in hav-

ng a neigh#our lie Brand.’EIndeed, yes. Brand has helped us over

any an o#stacle,’ intervened =arry. EFeoo were novices when we cae out. ;urand was rough #ushveld for the ost part

nd we hadn’t uch idea what to do witht. I had thought of dairy faring, #ut

Brand advised us to concentrate on crops -aie and soya and lucerne, and to give a

arge portion of land over to wattle. Fe’veever regretted taing Brand’s advice. Hou

ust #oth coe over and visit us, and seeur plantation.’ =arry spoe with enthusi-s Teri glanced at Brand, #ut he wasaling to 0avid 2arsh and it would appear



+

hat he had not heard the praise which hiseigh#our had Dust voiced. Het Teri felt in-tinctively that Brand never issed any-

hing, and she could not help wondering if e were recalling her o#stinacy when head advised the against concentrating onattle.

E$o you’re in partnership, as it were%’aul looed faintly aused as he put theuestion to Teri.

EHes, we’re partners.’ A sall pause. EI@pect you’re thining that faring out

ere isn’t woan’s wor%’1aul shrugged and said that these days

woen could turn their hands to osthings, #ut then went on to add with a

all laugh,EIt’s Brand who considers woen ae

ad farers’ &e looed across at hisriend. EIsn’t that right%’



Brand turned his head #ut did not reply or a oent, and then, in a rather crispnd decisive accent,

EIn y opinion woen don’t ae fan-ers at all - good or #ad. They try, granted,ut it Dust isn’t woan’s wor, as Teri hasaid.’

$he coloured slightly, #ut it was notwith anger, as she would have e@pected. Itwas at his use of her nae, it #eing the firstie he had called her Teri.

EThat’s a sweeping stateent,’ she said

fter a pause. EFith everything one needsractice, and I don’t suppose even you Dustared successfully right away .Hou ustave learned #y istaes - and that eans

y e@perience.’&e looed straight at her.EI was always willing to listen to advice -

nd to follow it if it were given #y oeone who new ore than I,’ he re-ponded gently, and her #lush deepened



5 +

ecause of the way everyone was looing ater and owing to Brand’s sile, which wasalf ocing, half censorious.

EFhat’s this%’ =arry glanced fro one tohe other #efore his gae settled on Teri. EItounds very uch as if Brand’s #een offer-ng advice and you’ve gone against it.’ &is

one was #antering, #ut edged with sur-rise for all that.

ETeri thought we should try to #reed aine herd of cattle,’ Gon intervened in anndeavour to rescue his sister fro an aw-

ward position, EBut of course we’re intend-ng to follow Brand’s advice. It was Dust thats the previous owner had #een successful

with dairy faring, we thought we could

ontinue in the sae way. But as Brandointed out, we require capital for the rais-

ng of a good dairy herd.’EThat’s true.’ 0avid spoe with author-

ty, for until three years ago he hiself hadeen a successful dairy farer. EI was



:

ucy I had the oney to #uy the #est. If ’d #een lie you I’d have concentrated onrops.’

EHou didn’t ind the upheaval of co-ng here%’ Hvonne ased the question after

little while everyone waited for the an-wer. Brand was pouring drins, #ut he

aused in the tas, regarding Teriautiously.

EFe thought we would lie to engage inoething entirely different fro what

we’d #een doing,’ said Gon at length, e@-

hanging glances with his sister. ;n accept-ng Brand’s invitation neither had thought#out the questions they ight #e ased.

E$o you #oth gave up your hoes, and

o#s%’EI was already houseeeping for Gon,’

@plained Teri.&er inclination was to #e short, convey-

ng the ipression that these questionswere resented, #ut she had to eep in ind



4

hat she was speaing to Brand’s guests.2oreover, she actually lied all these

eople and, therefore, found it ipossi#le

o snu# the. And so for the ne@t few inutes #oth she and Gon replied politely o the questions coing fro various partsf the roo until, eventually, Brand said

with a laugh,EHou ust e@cuse the, Gon and Teri.

Fe are a sall counity of whites herend newcoers aongst us naturally rouse our curiosity.’ But he looed faintly

pologetic, and it struc Teri that he hi-elf had not questioned the at all. It alsotruc her, not without a tinge of appre-ension, that 2irrie ight have written to

Brand, telling hi a little ore than they heselves had conveyed when answeringhis #arrage of questions. But ree#eringhat 2irrie was tactful and understanding

Teri disissed the idea. 2irrie would nat-rally now that they would not wish all



57 +

heir private affairs to #e passed on totrangers.

2ore savouries were handed to the

uests Brand was congratulated on hisoo and Hvonne said enviously,

E$he’s the #est around here. I don’tnow how you got her #efore I did,

Brand’ $he shrugged, adding, EBut thenou always see to anage to get what you

want.’ At that Teri looed up, and her eyes et

Brand’s. &e erely siled faintly and,

eaching for a plate of avocado sandwiches,anded it to her. $he helped herself, sur-rised to discover, as the evening pro-ressed, that for the first tie in onths

er thoughts had not #een wholly on herisfortune.

=osing Jep had not #een a isfor-une, her father had tried to convince her.he was worthy of soeone of greater sin-erity. !ar #etter to lose Jep #efore



53 +

arriage than to find herself in a siilarosition to that of Gon. But although in herwn ind Teri new this, she derived scant

ofort fro it.!or there was a terri#le eptiness still

n her heart, and a tiredness enveloped herwhole #eing not the healthy tiredness of

wor, #ut of the lac of a#ility to feel. Andow, for the first tie, she was Doining in aonversation, was looing at people withyes that perceived, and with a ind thatssessed the. Fas this the #eginning of

hat su#lie forgetfulness for which she soervently craved% If so, then she hadoething for which to than Brand, andn this new ood Teri found herself forget-

ing her original aniosity an aniosity orn, she had to adit, of her own huili-tion in initially aing the istaes

which had aroused his ipatience. In any ase, she ought to #e a little nicer to hi,he secretly owned, for he was definitely



58 +

ntending to help her #rother ae a suc-ess of the far.

As they were leaving he entioned his

ousin =inda. $he would #e coing in aortnight’s tie, along, with his sister ander children.

E=inda’s an orphan and lives with

usan,’ he went on to e@plain. E$he used toet on faously with 2irrie - and so she’lle #ound to #e over to see who has coe tove at Jarunda.’

EFe’ll #e delighted to have her,’ re-

urned Gon. EIn fact, you ust #ring thell. 1erhaps you’ll coe to tea onefternoon%’

EThans, we will.’

A short while later Teri and Gon had leftBrand’s lovely house, set in its #eautifully-andscaped grounds with its graceful lawns,nd its roc gardens planted with succu-

ents indigenous to this sei-arid coun-ryside. They waled along in silence for a



5+ +

while, enDoying the peace, the air #lowingool and fresh on their faces, its saturationf e@otic perfue assailing their nostrils.

/tched against the purple sy, gus andoplars straggling the river’s edge aredhe #oundary #etween the two fars they wayed, repeatedly #laning out the stars,

nd then revealing the again.EI thoroughly enDoyed that little #rea.’

on spoe at last, #reaing the vast silenceround the. E0id you enDoy it, Teri%’

$he siled in the darness and said,

EHes, Gon, I enDoyed it.’ A sense of guiltung over her, #ecause unconsciously she

eant on her #rother all the tie. &er hurthould have #een less than his, and yet she

elt drained again once the copany waseft #ehind.

EFe’ll forget, in tie,’ Gon urured,s if sensing her thoughts. But his voiceontained a little #rea and her heart wentut to hi. &is hoe #roen up,



59 +

verything that he and )osalind had collec-ed with loving care, gone to strangers, forll their possessions had #een put into the

aleroo on Gon’s deciding to ove toAfrica.

EIt’s a tragedy that happens so oftenowadays.’ Teri spoe her thoughts aloud

nd instantly regretted the, for in the en-uing silence she new her #rother’shoughts were in the past.

EI #elieve the answer’s in wor,’ he saidt length, Eand also in i@ing. >an we af-

ord to invite those people to our house -or dinner, do you thin%’

$he shoo her head.E6ot Dust yet, Gon, #ut we can as the

or a sundowner, lie Brand did thisvening.’

EFe’ll do that, then.’ &e was fighting,whereas she was allowing herself to #e-oe eneshed in the coil of isery thateeed to #e forever tightening. $he would



5 +

ry, she suddenly decided, for what wasast was past and neither she nor Gon hadhe power to undo it.

Brand #rought =inda over on the day fol-owing her arrival at >andida =odge. Teriaw the in the distance, swinging along at

leisurely trot. Then they crossed theridge and a few oents later they wereisounting in the yard.

Brand introduced his cousin, a sli, vi-al girl with dar hair and laughing #rownyes. Teri had e@pected soeone younger

in her teens - #ut now she guessed=inda’s age to #e a#out twenty-two.

E&ullo.’ =inda looed Teri over and

resently added, EHes, I approve of the new wner.’

EHour anners, =inda*’ sharply froer cousin, #ut =inda erely laughed.

EI’ lie that,’ she told Teri. EHou see, Ioved this place - I still do, and I’d have



5 +

ated it to have gone to soeone I couldn’te.’

Teri siled it was ipossi#le not to do

o for =inda was delightful, and so disar-ngly fran.

EI’ only Doint owner,’ she infored=inda. E2r. )oyce will have told you 2irrie

ave Jarunda to y #rother and e.’E&e did.’ A pause while =inda looed up

t her cousin. EFhy the forality%’ she in-uired of no one in particular.

E>an’t say.’ Brand looed hard at Teri.

/veryone else uses y >hristian nae.’Teri flushed and urured that she

ad not lied to call hi Brand.EHou ustn’t #e shy with hi,’ scoffed

=inda airily. EFoen aren’t not usually.’A great deal seeed to #e conveyed #y thattateent, and #y the arch glance =indaast at her cousin.

EFhere’s Gon%’ he ased, a#ruptly chan-ing the su#Dect.



55 +

EIn the dairy. I’ll fetch hi.’ But first,he invited the inside and ased the toit down. EI’ll ae soe coffee in a few

inutes.’ $he left the, and ran over to theairy, feeling a strange lightness withiner. It was alost a su#conscious thing ando atter how she tried she could not ac-

ount for it.EBrand’s here, and =inda,’ she said, and

on iediately cae out into theunlight.

E&ave you given the refreshents%’

E6ot yet.’ $he looed around. EFhere’sFendy% I thought she was with you.’

E$he’s with Gohnson. &e and a few of he #oys are felling soe trees.’

E!elling trees%’ $he frowned. Teri lovedrees and always felt hurt if they had to #eelled.

A sall hesitation fro Gon and then,



5: +

E;ver on the rough veld. Brand says thatand can #e put to good use when it’sleared.’

Teri’s frown deepened.EI lie the thic vegetation. It won’t #e

alf as attractive when it’s cleared.’ !aintesentent again ... #ut it was not as strong

s it would have #een a wee or so ago.EFe’re here to ae oney, Teri,’ her

rother reinded her gently, #ut althoughhe nodded in agreeent she Dust had toay,

E2irrie’s hus#and never #othered tolear it.’

EBecause he had cattle,’ with slight i-atience fro Gon. EFe, on the other hand,

re planting citrus trees.’ And he waledff, towards the stoep, where he too theteps two at a tie and swiftly disappearednto the house.



54 +

Fendy cae running in while they were having coffee, #ut at the door shetopped, looing at =inda.

E&aven’t you #rought your children%’&er disappointent was written all over

er face.E>hildren%’ =inda stared for a oent,

hen glanced at her cousin. EFhat’s all this#out%’

EFendy’s a little i@ed up.’ Brandeconed to the child, who cae into theoo and stood close #eside hi. EThis is

Auntie =inda,’ he siled. EIt’s Auntie $usanwho has the children.’

E$o you’re Fendy.’ =inda’s eyes settledn the child, then oved to her father’s

ace. E$he’s sweet,’ she urured, alosto herself.

EThan you.’ Gon gave his daughter alass of leonade which Teri had ready onhe ta#le. EHou’ll have copany toorrow,’e said. ECncle Brand tells e that Auntie



:7

usan had to go soewhere else today, #uthe and the children will coe and see usoorrow.’ Fendy’s face cleared at that,

nd she too a drin of her cordial.EI didn’t now there was another lady,’

he said, siling at =inda. E&aven’t you gotny children%’

E6o, Fendy, I haven’t, #ecause I’ notarried.’

EHou ean you haven’t got a daddy%’EThat’s right.’ Fendy’s #row pucered.EFhen you do have a daddy will you

ave children%’=inda laughed she seeed delighted

with the child.

EI e@pect I will,’ she replied, stillaughing.

EFill you coe and see us again%’Fendy ased when =inda and her cousinwere leaving a#out an hour later.

EHes, indeed I shall.’



:3 +

E>oe lots of ties.’EMery well - if your daddy and auntie

on’t ind%’ she thought to add, glancing

t Gon, who said she ust coe Dustwhenever she lied.

They all cae out into the yard andtood taling for a few inutes. $uddenly

lancing down at Fendy, Teri saw that thehild’s sall hand was tightly clasped inhat of =inda. Teri siled to herself. Fendy

was a#out the ost uninhi#ited child shenew. All her life she would #e popular, forven at this age she gave out, with aaingenerosity for a child who was passinghrough the Eyours and ine’ stage of de-elopent. The good#yes were #eing said

=inda’s other hand cae up fro her sidend touched Fendy’s fair curls.

E$o long for now, =ittle 0ainty,’ sheiled, looing down at the child after

ounting the gelding. EI’ll coe and seeou toorrow.’



:8

EFill you stay longer than this%’ Fendy wanted to now, and =inda nodded.

EHes, I’ll stay longer.’

EAll right - and don’t forget to #ring thehildren, Cncle Brand,’ Fendy said, trans-erring her gae to the #ig an who wasow astride his horse.

EI’ll do that, you can #e sure.’ Brandooed at Teri. $he stood a little distancero the horse, her pale face caught in thehadows cast #y a large plane-tree, #ut now nd then the #ranches oved and sun-eas escaped, highlighting the #eautifulontours of her face. Brand’s dar eyeslicered strangely and she wondered whate was thining. 0id he consider it strange

or her to coe here, #urying herself on aar where she could not possi#ly find

ale copany% &ad he - as she hadlready suspected - guessed there was a

ystery% soething which #oth she ander #rother were deterined to conceal%



>&A1T/) T&)//

T&/ following orning =inda cae on her

wn, driving Brand’s white car. $he was go-ng into ;asville to do soe shoppingater on, she told Teri, #ut she was not inny hurry, apparently, #ecause she too heroffee in a leisurely fashion and afterwards

wandered a#out the garden, Fendy sip-ing alongside her. Teri watched thero the itchen window, where she wasusy watering the indoor plants. Garu was

leaning out soe cup#oards which Teri



:9 +

ad decided could #e dispensed with, soiving her ore roo, for she wantedventually to #uy a unit she had seen in

;asville. It was not e@pensive and whenhe aie was sold she felt she could affordo treat herself. $he turned as Garu spoe,sing if he could throw out soe old pans.

he nodded, thining they could very wello without hi, #ut he had #een with 2ir-ie and iediately on their arrival he hadurned up at Jarunda and #efore Teri new

what was happening he had settled hiself

n.Gon appeared, driving the tractor on to

he yard Teri saw hi sile at =inda andfter Duping down he stood taling to her,

while Fendy played a#out, touching thelower heads and #ending to sell the.

After a while Teri went out to Doin Gon and=inda, and she seeed for the first tieeally to appreciate her surroundings.

!lowering shru#s oved gently in the



: +

reee, sending off their sweet scent intohe war air. The garden was alive witholour - the flash of a #luewinged insect

ong the flowers, the darting of a #irdong the #ranches of the trees. Fendy

was now fingering the long sword-lieeaves of the cannas, then she #ent again to

ut her sall snu# nose to the yellow lowers. =inda saw her and siled. &er

words cae to Teri as she approached thelace where =inda and Gon were standing.

EI thin your little daughter’s a#solutely

elightful, Gon. Hou ust #e very proud of er%’

EI a, rather,’ he returned at once, #utTeri heard the #itterness in his voice and

new he was thining a#out )osalind.=inda opened her outh to spea, then

losed it again. Fhat had she #een a#out toay% Teri wondered, feeling she ight haveeen going to voice a question concerning

Fendy’s other.



: +

Gon and =inda turned as Teri cae upo the.

EI really ust #e going,’ =inda said,

iling. And then she added apologetically,As I told you, I always loved this place -

uch ore than Brand’s far. I don’tnow why, #ecause it never was so neat

nd orderly as his.’E1erhaps we shall eventually have it

eat and orderly,’ returned Gon, and =indaediately interrupted hi with,

E0on’t spoil it, Gon. Brand’s house is

odern and orderliness suits its surround-ngs, #ut this house is older and should #ellowed to rest in its rather higgledy-iggledy gardens.’

;ne of Gon’s rare laughs was heard, #utt was Teri who spoe.

EFe’ll not spoil it, =inda, not if it restswith e. I love the gardens as they are. It’s

asy to see that 2irrie siply planted



:5 +

hings she lied, Dust anywhere where thereappened to #e a space.’

E$he did - and she was always #egging

ro other people, or going out and collect-ng wild things.’ =inda spoe quietly and al-

ost reverently. EI’ glad you’re not goingo alter it too uch.’ A oent later she

lid into the car and started up the engine.Brand and $usan and the children will #ever after lunch as proised. I’ll #e coingoo, of course. EBye for now.’

ELood#ye, Auntie =inda - and ind how

ou go*’Teri glanced swiftly at Gon his face had

aled and a tightness settled a#out his Daw.Fendy had learned those words fro her

other, who always said the to Gon eachorning when he went off to wor in thear. 2ind how you go. ... )osalind ustave #een an@ious a#out her hus#and inhose days ... or was it all pretence%



:: +

Gon was waving as the car swung round.=inda waved through the window inesponse.

E$hall we as the to stay to tea%’ Gonpoe as the car disappeared #ehind theelt of oas #ordering the curving drive.

E;oh ... yes*’ Fendy said e@citedly #e-

ore Teri could reply. EIt’ll #e lie a party.’EI thin we can afford it,’ agreed Teri,

nd spent the rest of the orning #aingnd aing a huge salad, which they wouldave with chicen. Then she ade a trifle

nd Fendy stood there all the tie she wasecorating it with nuts and cherries andiny coloured #alls.

E0o you thin Jaren and $elena will lie

e%’ she ased, looing an@iously at herunt.

EI’ sure they will.’EBut the #oy - Cncle Brand didn’t tell

e his nae, did he% Fill he lie e%’



:4 +

EI e@pect so. There isn’t any reason why e shouldn’t.’

E6o...’ Fendy #ecae thoughtful, puc-

ring her face as she always did, as if the ef-ort of thining caused her soe pain. EBute’s a #oy, and #oys aren’t always nice toirls, are they%’

E6o, Fendy, they are not.’ The wordspilled out, #orn of Teri’s own e@perience,nd her voice #roe. But instantly she ad-ed, to reassure the child, EI’ sure Cncle

Brand’s nephew will #e nice to you, though,

y pet.’ Fho couldn’t #e nice to Fendy%The silent question was answered with a

eep and shuddering sigh. )osalindeeed to have adored Fendy, and yet she

ould leave her, not nowing who wouldare for her.

!ro lunch tie onwards Fendy wasn a state of e@citeent, for since coing to

Jarunda she had never had a playate. Atoe in /ngland there were the



47 +

eigh#ours’ children, and also Fendy hadttended a nursery school for three half-ays a wee.

E$he’s a ge, really,’ Teri said to herrother when on noting his daughter’s e@-iteent he reared on her lonely state.$he enDoys #eing with one or other of us,

nd she has certainly taen to the #oys.’Gon nodded, ree#ering how Fendy

ad shrun fro the at first, asing why hey had #lac faces. But now she was per-ectly happy to #e with the, either on the

ractor or in the fields. They in turn werewonderful with her, delighted that she was

lready learning their language.E0o you now how long Brand’s sister is

taying%’ Gon ased, and Teri said she hadeard Brand say they would #e with hi

or a#out three wees. EThen we ust havehe over as uch as possi#le,’ announcedon firly. E=et Fendy have as uch of thehildren’s copany as she can.’



43 +

Gon had finished wor at lunch tiend while Teri laid the ta#le in the dining-oo he too possession of the #athroo,

erging later looing ore lie the officeanager he once was than a farer. ThenTeri too over, seeing to Fendy first andhen herself.

EI haven’t got a line, 0addy.’ Fendy rched her nec to show hi. EHou can’tave when you’ve got visitors coing, canou%’

EHou shouldn’t have a line at any tie,’

e said, trying to loo severe. Fendy only aughed at hi and turned to her aunt.

EHou loo lovely* ;h, here they are*’Fendy raced for the door and ran down

he steps. E&ello, Cncle Brand*’ $he wasairly dancing and on sudden ipulse heent and piced her up, tossing her into their and catching her again. As he put herown, that twisted, rather sardonic sileppeared as his eyes et those of Teri.



48 +

E&ello, =ittle 0ainty*’ =inda introducedhe children to one another while Brand in-roduced his sister. $usan was sall and

lup and hoely - very different in ap-earance fro her #rother.

EIt’s nice to see Jarunda #eing looedfter again,’ she said as they all sat on the

toep watching the children runninground the garden. EFe felt so sad when it

was #eing neglected.’EFe’ve a long way to go #efore it loses

ts neglected loo,’ Teri returned rather

elf-deprecatingly. EIf we were a little ore@perienced it would help, #ut I e@pect wehall ae any istaes #efore we really tart progressing.’ $he was erely #eing

onversational #ut saw #y the sudden lift of Brand’s eye#row that she had said thewrong thing. And so did Gon, who endeav-

ured to end atters #y adding, EFe’reaing advice fro your #rother, though, sohat should iniie our #lunders.’



4+ +

A faint sile touched one coer of Brand’s outh as his gae reained onTeri. &er lashes cae down and for the

e@t few inutes she deli#erately reainedloof fro the conversation. $he hadhought no one would notice, #ut Brandad, as she saw on raising her eyes a short

while later, for he had a loo of faint con-ept on his #roned and handsoe face.he was a coward, he was concluding, a-

ng a retreat siply #ecause she could notave her own way. Fell, let hi go on

hining that. $he cared nothing for hisrivate assessent of her character.

EFendy is certainly enDoying herself,’=inda was saying, her eyes on the children

s they raced a#out, shouting and laughings they played soe gae of their own. EIt’s

pity there aren’t other children near.he’s going to iss the when we go.’

EFe’ll #e coing again,’ put in $usan,lancing at Teri. EFe coe to see Brand



49 +

#out three ties a year. The ne@t tieAlec will #e with us.’

EAlec’s $usan’s hus#and,’ Brand said #y

way of e@planation. E&e can’t leave the faroo often, #ut he does tae a holiday once aear.’

EFendy’s getting tired,’ o#served Gon.

$he can’t eep up the pace.’E2y little lot are quite wild,’ said $usan.

They never do see a#le to tone downwhen they’re playing with youngerhildren.’

EIt’s tie they were all taing a rest.’Brand called to the and they cae ie-

iately. E$it down,’ he ordered. EHou’ve donenough racing around for a while.’

6eal pouted and declared he wasn’t inhe least tired.

EFe were going to have races,’ he #eganwhen Fendy interrupted hi.

EHes, #ut you wouldn’t give e a start -nd I’ only little.’



4 +

E;f course you are,’ agreed =inda,rowning at 6eal. EFhat do you ean #y ot giving Fendy a start%’

EIt isn’t fair*’EFell, you’re not racing, so it doesn’t

atter.’ Brand looed sternly at hi. EI saidit down.’

/@cusing herself, Teri went indoors torepare the tea she was followed #y =inda,

who ased if she could help.E0on’t #e polite and say no,’ she added,

iling. E>an I do the #read and #utter% Isually get that Do#.’

EIf you don’t ind,’ #egan Teri, thenhrugged. EIt’s good of you, =inda. Hou’llind the #read in that stone Dar, and the

utter’s here.’EI’ at hoe in this itchen,’ =inda re-

ared a few inutes later as she cut theread. EI used to help 2irrie when she haduests.’

EHou spend a lot of tie with Brand.’



4 +

EHes, I coe uch ore often than thethers. I haven’t a proper Do# - in that I’ied, that is. I erely do a little secretarial

wor for Alec, and help around the houseor $usan.’

EThat’s a nice free sort of life.’EI enDoy it, especially as I can coe to

Brand Dust whenever I feel lie it. &eoesn’t always want e, I’ afraid, #ut Ioe Dust the sae.’

E0oesn’t always want you%’E&e’s a #orn #achelor and prefers #eing

lone.’E&as he never had a girl-friend%’ Teri

sed after a sall hesitation.E&e has had, #ut he isn’t really inter-

sted. Hou ight hear a ruour that hees the woen, #ut it’s the other way roundN woen lie hi, and I’ afraidhey run after hi. That #oth annoys andores hi, and I #elieve it’s ade hi cyn-

cal. If he did #ecoe interested in a



45 +

woan he’s old-fashioned enough to con-ider that he should do the chasing, and sony woan who runs after hi has lost

i right fro the start.’ =inda paused andrinned. E&e’s so attractive that no woanould run away fro hi and so I’ pretty ure he’ll reain a #achelor - #ecoing

tuffier and stuffier as the years go #y. I’veold hi I can iagine hi when he’slder, all shrivelled up and isera#le andorri#ly set in his ways.’

Teri had to laugh, #ut she did wonder

ow Brand would tae it could he hear theonversation going on a#out hi.

EIsn’t he already set in his ways%’EI suppose he is. &e’s dreadfully eth-

dical - and that I siply hate* That’s why Ie this place, it’s totally lacing in order.’

EIt hasn’t always #een - not when 2ir-ie’s hus#and had it.’

E6ot the far part, no, #ut I’ taling#out the house. 2irrie wasn’t a #it



4: +

ethodical and that’s why I found her sottractive.’

E2en are usually ore ethodical than

woen,’ Teri pointed out, and =inda had togree. EFe want to get soe sort of orderere,’ Teri added. EI’ hoping to have soe

ode fittings in the house - well, at least

n the itchen.’EI agree this place needs renovating.

Hou could do with soe nice units - easy toeep clean. 2irrie lied scru##ing woodena#le tops and that’s why she never

hanged all this old stuff.’Teri ade a face.E$he won’t find anything to scru# in her

ew hoe. !ather’s #ought a #rand new

ouse.’E1oor 2irrie - #ut she was adly in love

with your dad, so I e@pect she’ll not indery uch. Fe were all so surprised whenhe cae #ac fro her holiday and saidhe was getting arried.’



44 +

E$o were Gon and I. Fe were quite per-ur#ed, #ecause it had all #een so quic,ut we lied 2irrie the oent we saw

er.’EAnd you didn’t ind your dad getting

arried again%’ =inda had filled one platend she put it on the tray ready to #e car-

ied into the dining-roo.E;n the contrary, we were glad - when

we’d et 2irrie, that was.’EIt isn’t good for en to #e alone. I #e-

eve they should arry again - after a tie,

f course.’ A sall pause and then, E&ow ong has your #rother #een widowed%’

0istur#ing waves flashed through Teri’serves, #ut she felt there was another reas-

n #esides her own ina#ility to find an i-ediate answer to =inda’s question. At lasthe said,

EGon’s loss is recent, =inda. &e’s #een onis own less than five onths.’

The girl’s eyes clouded.



377

E$o Fendy ree#ers her other,hen%’

E;f course.’ &ow to change the su#Dect%

wondered Teri desperately. It had #eenoolish of Gon to tell the untruth, and yet

Teri could understand his feelings. As heaid, a an doesn’t go around telling

trangers that his wife has left hi.E1oor little scrap.’ =inda spoe softly,

opassionately. EIt’s a good thing she hasou to loo after her.’ Teri had ade theea and as ost of the things had #een put

n the ta#le #y Garu, she anaged tohange the su#Dect, asing =inda to call thethers in.

EI’ll pour the tea in here #ecause there

won’t #e uch roo on the ta#le.’Garu too in the cups of tea on a tray

nd after telling hi to see that the ettlewas put on again Teri went in to Doin their

uests.



373 +

After tea the children played again, #uthis tie Brand went over to supervise. &eave Fendy such a long start that she won

with ore ease than she should have, andlthough $elena and Jaren too it in goodart 6eal gru#led so uch that his uncleent hi off to sit on the stoep.

0riven #y the inDustice of this, Teri wento Brand, saying it was unfair of hi to give

Fendy such a long start.E6eal’s unhappy,’ she said as Brand

egan to waive her protests. E&e’s only as-

ng for a sporting chance.’E&e ust learn not to give e chee.’

A#rupt the tone and infle@i#le. E6eal stayswhere he is.’

Teri #it her lip, glancing at 6eal, whoad his nees up and his chin forlornly inis hands.

E>an’t you have a race without Fendy%’he suggested, and Brand frowned at her.



378

ECncle Brand, coe on* Tell us when totart*’ $elena was ipatient, #ut Brand ig-ored her, his attention still with Teri.

E6eal is there #ecause he was ipertin-nt,’ he told her softly, and a flush rose,inting Teri’s pallid chees.

EI’ sorry. I Dust felt you weren’t #eing

air to hi.’EI don’t want to race any ore.’ Fendy

oo hold of Brand’s hand and siled up ati. EI’ too tired.’ EFe want to race,hough. 1lease tell us to start*’ Brand

urned, and raised a hand.E)eady, steady, steady, go*’ The two

irls sped off, Jaren having #een given aall start.

EFhat energy*’ urured Teri, watch-ng the. EFe all had it once.’ Brand looedt her in soe auseent. EAnd in yourase it wouldn’t have #een so very longgo%’ A question, and Teri answered,

EIt was a fair tie ago. I’ twenty.’



37+

ETwenty.... Gust a child, in fact.’&is anner surprised her. &e seeed

o have forgotten how they et, and her

u#sequent distant #ehaviour towards hi.EI’ afraid I don’t feel a child - and one

s as old as one feels, they say.’EAnd how old do you feel%’

$he shrugged, suddenly shy and #e-wildered #y his change of attitude towards

er.E6inety, soeties.’&e siled faintly, and the quality of

irth in his eyes caught and held her atten-ion. 6o dou#t a#out it, this an was cer-ainly attractive.

E6inety*’ e@claied Fendy, darting a

lance at her. EThat’s as old as 2rs. $il-ester who used to live near us. $he diednd 2uy sent soe flowers. 0o youee#er%’

EHes, Fendy, I ree#er,’



379

E2y Auntie Teri doesn’t loo ninety,oes she, Cncle Brand% $he loos young,e y uy, and pretty. 0on’t you

hin she loos pretty%’Teri’s flush deepened and she looed

own at her hands. But it was the danger of he oent which distur#ed her. Fendy

ust not tal a#out her other.EIf you don’t want to race any ore then

we’ll go and sit down’ she #egan.EHes, she is pretty,’ cae Brand’s reply

o Fendy’s question. EMery pretty.’

EAnd do you lie her dress% It’s CncleJep’s favourite one. &e used to say sheooed #eautiful in it’

EFendy,’ interrupted Teri hastily. E>oe

nd sit down.’EFho’s Cncle Jep%’ ased Brand, de-

#erately eeping hold of the child’s hand.E&e’s Auntie Teri’s young an. But he’s

ot here. &e lives in /ngland. They’re go-ng to #e arried.’



37 +

Brand looed puled. &is glance auto-atically flicering to Teri’s left hand.

EHou’re engaged%’

Teri glanced down at her niece. &eresitation and confusion did not go un-oticed #y Brand and he said quicly,

EIt’s a good idea of your aunt’s. Fe’ll all

o and sit down.’Teri gave a sigh of relief at #eing saved

ro answering the question. Brand’s un-erstanding surprised her, #ut at the saeie she new he ust now #e decidinghere definitely was soe ystery, soeery good reason for their coing here to

2irrie’s far.&e released Fendy’s hand and she

aced on ahead. Brand spoe as he and Teritrolled together towards the stoep wherehe others were sitting.

EFhat aes you feel so old%’ Banter inis tone, #ut Teri detected the underlyingeriousness #ehind it. $he glanced up at



37

i, her eyes wide #ut clouded. $hynessnd uncertainty assailed her again. Brand

was so unpredicta#le, she realied, for it

was plain that he was now interested iner, if only in that his original indifference

was fast disappearing.EI was erely Doing,’ she anaged at

ength.EIt didn’t sound lie a Doe.’ &is eyes

oved her features, the crooed sileaintly visi#le. &e seeed a#out to add tohat sentence #ut refrained, waiting to see

ow she would react to it.E;ne says such things,’ she #egan when

e interrupted her.E6ot without reason, Teri.’

EI don’t understand you,’ she spoe i-etuously, trying to disentangle herhoughts in order to discover the reason forhis sudden switch fro indifference touriosity on Brand’s part.



375 +

EI’ not aware I’ speaing in riddles.’Brand stopped #y a tree and they stood un-

er its shade, while low tones of conversa-

ion drifted to the fro the direction of he stoep. Teri looed down at the #arechre-coloured earth round the #ole of theree. Brand’s persistence was unnecessary

nd yet, strangely, she e@perienced no re-entent - only a feeling of unsureness

which she had never nown #efore. Theery fact of his stopping proved that he de-ired soe coent fro her, #ut she

ould only shae her head, aing an ef-ort to collect herself sufficiently to #e a#leo eet his gae, which she new was fi@edpon her. EFhat reason have you for feeling

er ninety%’ Banter again, #ut Teri wasot deceived. Brand was definitely puled.

E1erhaps it’s the change,’ she ur-ured, her thoughts flying to Jep andhe future they had planned together, a fu-ure fro whose fa#ric all pattern had #een



37:

tripped so that nothing #ut dra#nesseained.

E2ight I as change fro what%’

E!ro y previous life,’ she evaded,aing a ove to wal on #ut finding her

ath #arred as Brand also too a step,ringing hi once ore in front of her.

EHou used to wor%’EBefore Gon’s wife - Before Gon was left,

es, I gave up y wor to houseeep fori, #ut you already now that.’

&e nodded a little a#sently, then sur-rised her #y saying,

E$oeties it’s good to tal, Teri... if ou have the right listener.’

$oething tingled in her veins she felt

strange tightening of her throat. All herversion for the ale se@ rose up, choinger. The right listener could never #e a

an.EI have no wish to tal.’ &er voice was

roen she wondered if her dislie was



374

pparent, conveyed to hi #y her stiffenedttitude. It was, apparently, for she saw a

uscle in his nec #ecoe taut.

E$orry,’ he said in tones atching herwn. EI ust as your pardon for intrud-

ng.’ &e oved then, striding #risly to-wards the stoep. Teri did not trou#le to in-

rease her speed to eep pace with hi andwhen she Doined the others he was Dust say-ng it was tie they were aing a ove.

EHou’ll coe again soon,’ Fendy urged,fting her shining eyes to his. EAnd don’t

orget the puppy, will you%’E1uppy%’ Teri stared at Brand. &is eyes

were hard, unfathoa#le.EBrand’s proised Fendy a puppy,’ her

rother said, unaware of any tension in their. EI said she could have it - although you,

Teri, will #e called upon to op away allhe little pools.’



337 +

EI won’t ind that.’ &er eyes were stilln Brand’s face. EThan you,’ she said.

Fendy will love to have a dog.’

EIt’s not yet old enough, #ut she shallave it in another three or four days’ tie.’

=inda had planned to return to Gohan-

es#urg with $usan and the children, #ut athe last inute she decided to reain wither cousin. Teri was happy a#out this foruring the past three wees she and =indaad #ecoe good friends. Teri’s relation-hip with Brand, however, seeed to de-eriorate with every eeting and it #ecaepossi#le that it could pass unnoticedither #y =inda or Gon.

EFhat’s the atter with you%’ Gon asedne evening when, having #een invited toinner at >andida =odge, Teri inforedi that she had changed her ind a#outoing. EHou see to hate Brand, and for noalid reason that I can see.’



333 +

E&ate% I told you #efore, all I feel fori is indifference.’

EAt that tie it was indifference, #ut

ow it’s acute dislie - to put it ildly.’$he sighed, sacrificing aia#ility to

patience.EFhat does it atter% In any case, he

oesn’t lie e.’EBrand’s not the an to dislie without

eason. &e ust #e wondering what’swrong with you.’

EThen let hi wonder. It isn’t any of his

usiness what’s wrong with e.’Gon cae to her and put a hand round

er shoulders.ETeri, you’ll have to snap out of this.

Jep has gone fro your life. The unionwas severed #efore it was welded. Hou’lleet soeone else in tie, soeone orerustworthy...’ &e allowed his words to trailway in silence as he drew her to hi andeld her while she wept.



338 +

EI’ so sorry, Gon, #ut I can’t help it. Iared far too uch, I realie that’ $herew away, #ut his hands still rested on her

rs. EHou can’t stop loving, not souicly.’

Bitterness looed out fro her #rother’syes.

E6o, Teri, that’s true, you can’t stop lov-ng so quicly.’

EI’ sorry,’ she said again. E0on’t thin ’ insensi#le to the fact that your loss isreater than ine, Gon. And I always feel

elfish when you have to cofort e liehis.’ $he too a handerchief fro herocet and dried her eyes. EI’ll coe withou,’ she said une@pectedly. EI do dislie

Brand, #ut =inda will #e there.’&e seeed uncertain now and said,ETry not to show it, Teri. Brand’s #eing

ery good to us, you now. 6othing’s toouch trou#le for hi. ;nly this orning

e offered to lend e a doen of his en



33+ +

ntil we get that #ush cleared. Fho wouldou find to #e as generous as that%’

E6o one. I’ fully appreciative of all he’s

oing, #ut it’s Dust... soething....’ $o-ething, #ut what e@actly% $urely sheould treat hi ipersonally, yet #e aic-#le and reveal her gratitude. Teri felt that

f she were the sole owner of JarundaBrand would let her flounder, for he usteel he wasted his tie in trying to #e help-ul. But he lied Gon, adiring his courage,o he was willing to go to great lengths to

ae his path soother.EI’ll not let hi notice it,’ she proised,

nd was gratified to see Gon’s face clear.ELood girl* Lo and doll yourself up. 1ut

n that pretty white dress with the low-cutecline. It suits you #etter than anything,

so it ust do soething to lift your spirits.’$he anaged a shay laugh, proising

o doll herself up, as he tered it. And sheept her proise, taing ore care than



339 +

he ever had since her parting fro Jep.trange how a woan dresses up for her

an. 6ever for other woen, or even for

erself - only for the an who would loo t her and in whose eyes she would find thediration for which she yearned.

The puppy Brand had proised was

lready a well- loved e#er of the faily nd #efore Teri and Gon left the house Teriold Garu not to forget to give hi hisupper.

EAnd do ae sure his #aset’s clean

nd dry, won’t you%’ she added, siling.aru’s white teeth flashed in response.

EHes, issy, I see to that all right.’ After telling Goseph’s wife to have sup-

er if she wanted it they left Jarunda andwaled across their own land towards the

ridge. The evening was still with not a leaf tirring. 0arness had closed in on theu#led tree-clad #luffs rising a#ove thealley. >icadas poured forth their incessant



33 +

whirr and fro afar the sound of a dru-eat could #e heard.

Brand et the as they ounted the

teps to his wide front entrance. &e was inwhite shirt, his hair shining as if newly-

washed, his sin lie polished #rone. Thewisted sile appeared, politely e#racing

he #oth. 0eterined not to cause herrother a oent’s discofiture, Teriiled in response and, Dust as she half e@-ected, Brand lifted one eye#row in a ges-ure of sardonic auseent. Fhat has

oe over you% cae the question. &isyes ran over her, taing in the curves, attle sharp-edged now #ecause of her thin-ess, #ut delicate for all that. Then his eyes

oved, to the #eautiful line of her throatnd nec, and then to her face, still flushedro his silent question.

E2ay I say you loo charing%’ $atiricalis tones, #ut lacing the coldness that hadharacteried the since that day when



33 +

Teri had deli#erately snu##ed hi. EFhiteuits you, Teri, you should wear ore of it.’

EThan you.’ $he was aware of her

rother’s gae, and of his an@iety. >learly e half e@pected her to forget her proiseot to allow her dislie of Brand to #eevealed.

EBrand, you’re right*’ e@claied =inda,oing into the #ig square entrance hall.Teri, where did you get that ravishinghing% 6ot here, that’s for sure*’

EI #rought it with e.’

2uch to her surprise Teri found herself eriving a certain degree of pleasure frohis flattery - #ut only fro that of =inda,he decided o#stinately.

After drins on the stoep they enteredhe diningroo, decorated in the odetyle in white and gold. The wall and centreghts had #een switched off, leaving only

he flicering a#er glow sent out #y theandles on the ta#le - tall slender candles



335 +

et in silver candlestics. They were serveddelicious eal #y a tall ipassive Bantu,

whose face #roe into a sile only at the

nd when Brand thaned hi #efore as-ng for coffee and #randy to #e served inhe lounge.

>onversation throughout the eal, and

fterwards, was light, and for this Teri washanful. It would see that, #y coononsent, #oth Brand and Gon had decidedo avoid a discussion on faring, and theonsequence was that for the first tie Teri

nd Brand threw off their arour of ostility.

After a while =inda suggested a strollnd they all readily agreed. Teri attached

o iportance to the fact that =inda shouldwal on ahead with Gon nevertheless, theact did register for the siple reason thathe was left alone with Brand, and she did

wonder what on earth they would find toal a#out. &owever, to her surprise no



33: +

train rose up #etween the and whenBrand inquired conversationally how shewas liing Africa she replied with a new

nthusias.EI’ #eginning to love it. It undou#tedly

as a spell - #ut you now that, of course.’They were waling along a flagged path,

with the other two a fair distance ahead.The vast doe of the sy was thic withhiering constellations - the silverowder of the 2ily Fay and the dalingouthern >ross flaring through a canopy of

eep purple. =ording it over all, the fulloon poured forth its reflected #rilliance,howering the landscape with light whichhrew into relief the silver trees and

entinel-lie poplars fringing the garden.EI suppose I’ used to it,’ Brand ur-

ured after a long and copaniona#le si-ence. EBut I agree, it has a spell. It’s a ys-ic country, a dar country andangerous.’



334 +

E&ow long have you #een here%’EI was #orn here, and y parents #efore

e.’

EHou’ve always fared%’E!aring is y life.’EIt satisfies your every need%’ Cnthin-

ng words and as she glanced up at this gi-

nt waling #eside her she saw his #rowsft in a gesture of auseent.

EFhat, e@actly, do you ean #y that%’$wiftly she glanced away, his question

isconcerting her.EHou Dust said that faring is your life.’E$o I did.’ They strolled in silence for a

econd or two and then, EFor can neverean everything, either to an or woan.

;ne needs diversions.’ A#ruptly she changed the su#Dect.E&ow long do you thin it will tae us

eally to #ecoe productive%’Brand laughed and said,



387

EHou’re rather good at evasion, Teri.Fere you afraid of inquiring a#out the di-

ersions I entioned%’

$he glanced up again, astounded #y thepact that had suddenly thrust upon herhe nowledge that she was aware of Brands a an, that she was actually noticing his

ean and sinewed strength, was inhalinghe elusive drifting sell of newly-aundered linen which eanated fro hislothes. $he shran fro these adissions#ut they persisted.

Brand was waiting, as he had waitednce #efore, and she half e@pected hi totop. &e erely slacened his pace Terielt he would insist on a reply to his ques-

ion and at last she said,E1erhaps the diversions are too personal

or discussion,’ and again he laughed, thisie with unconcealed auseent.

EFould it surprise you to now that y iversions usually tae the for of holidays



383 +

#reas fro wor when I go off to visit y elatives and friends%’

A frown touched her #row. $he wanted

o say straight out that his diversions, noatter what for they too, were of no in-erest to her, and yet she refrained, foroe reason not wishing this pleasant wal

o end a#ruptly in a curt announceentro Brand that it was tie they were turn-ng #ac. Gon and =inda, she noticed, hadisappeared altogether they were soe-

where #ehind the little grove of trees that

ose darly in front of the indistinct silhou-tte of the ountains.

EI hadn’t really thought uch a#out it,’he answered truthfully, and this tie

Brand hiself changed the su#Dect, an-wering her question a#out the far.

EJarunda has #een neglected for overhree years, and that is fatal in any country ut uch ore so here, where weedspring up overnight after the rains. It will



388 +

ae a great deal of wor, and of patience,o get your place running soothly again.

But it has flourished in the past and can do

o again.’ &e paused a oent as they eached the #end in the path along which

Teri surised her #rother and =inda hadone. E&ow long are you staying here%’ he

hen inquired a#ruptly.$he glanced up in surprise, then re-

e#ered that he pro#a#ly thought shewas engaged to #e arried. And yet, if he

id thin that, he ust #e wondering how

he could leave her fiancK and coe out toJarunda with her #rother.

EFe’re here for good, as far as I now.2irrie ade us a present of Jarunda, and

we’ve #oth vowed we’ll ae a success of it.he loves it and for that reason she refusedo sell, although !ather wanted her to doo, and invest the oney.’

EAnd you% 0id you not feel she shouldell Jarunda and invest the oney%’



38+ +

Teri nodded.EFe did at first - and in fact we refused

o accept it as a gift unconditionally. After

wo years we intend sharing the profitswith her.’

EThere won’t #e any #ig profits for threer four years,’ he stated ephatically.

&owever, with that #ushveld cleared yourotential will #e increased considera#ly nd as I’ve said, Jarunda can #e prosper-us again - and will #e, if you’re willing toae y advice.’

At that Teri #it her lip.EI e@pect we shall continue to tae your

dvice,’ she said reluctantly at last.EHou’d rather #e independent, though%

Hou still haner after cattle%’ETo #e truthful, I don’t now anything at

ll a#out faring’EThat’s o#vious,’ he cut in, #ecause he

ad to, she thought, her chin lifting. &e



389 +

ust could not help deonstrating hisuperiority.

EI wored in an office and so did Gon.

6aturally we now nothing a#out faring.’$ilence dropped #etween the Brand

eeed to #e deep in thought.EFasn’t it a #ig #rea for you to leave

our father and your friends%’ he ased,lancing around as if he too had suddenly

issed Gon and =inda.EIt was.’ At the #revity of her reply he

eeed to frown.EHou pule e,’ he owned franly. EI’

hining there were reasons for your want-ng to leave /ngland%’ A question and yet atateent. Teri hesitated. Fas it the night,

nd the stillness and peace which were re-ponsi#le for her lac of resentent tohese inquiries% That she had no snu#eady surprised her and she wondered if iturprised Brand too.

EThere were reasons, yes.’



38 +

EBut you don’t want to tal a#out the%’They’re private.’ &er anner was

aintly apologetic.

E1erhaps in your #rother’s case it wasust that he wished for a coplete change.

&is wife’s death ust have #een a dreadfullow to hi.’

EIt was.’ !or soe ine@plica#le reasonhe hated deceiving Brand. $urely he wouldearn the truth soe day and what woulde then thin of her% But why should sheare what he thought of her% &adn’t sheold herself, several ties, that his opinion

was of no iportance to her%EFere they very devoted%’ &is persist-

nce was ost odd, she thought.

EMeryO.’ $uddenly she stopped, andlanced up at hi, a pleading e@pression iner eyes. EBrand, please don’t as e a#outhese things. They - they hurt too uch foriscussion.’



38 +

&e also had stopped and his eyes starednto hers. &e noted the little hollows in herhees, accentuated #y the golden tan she

ad already acquired fro e@posure to theierce African sun he seeed una#le toae his eyes fro her lips, wide and gener-us and softly curved. &er lashes fluttered

own, for she was acutely conscious of hiscrutiny, and of the swift appearance of pology in his gae.

EI’ sorry, Teri, I shouldn’t have in-ruded. I shan’t do so again.’

EThan you.’ They waled on, presently eeting up with =inda and Gon as they erged fro the shadows of the grove.

&ow sall and slender =inda seeed #e-

ide Gon, Teri thought, for Gon was every it as tall as Brand, although he was notuite so sli. The result of woring in anffice, she decided. Another few onths onhe far would give hi the toughness andeanness of Brand.



385 +

EI suppose you’ll #e leaving soon,’ Teriaid conversationally, siling at =inda whoesitated, fluttering a glance at Gon.

EI’ not in any hurry,’ she replied, andTeri noticed the loo of surprise with which

er cousin regarded her. =inda turned herace away and in the shadows there was

othing to #e learned fro her profile.=inda had already #een at >andida =odgeor alost five wees.

E$urely Alec will #e wanting you%’ Brandoented quietly.

E&e’ll ring or write if he does,’ returned=inda in an e@pressionless voice, and Teriound herself again e@periencing that dis-ur#ing flutter of nerves which had caused

er soe unease on the occasion of =inda’ssing how long Gon had #een widowed.

This tie, as then, Teri could find no e@-lanation for it.



38:

EHou are supposed to #e eployed #y i.’ Brand regarded his cousin curiously

hrough narrowed eyes.

=inda forced a laugh and glanced up ati.

E0o you want to #e rid of e, you crusty ld #achelor%’ she e@claied lightly. EI e@-

ect you want the house to yourself - is thatt%’

EHou’re welcoe to stay as long as youe.’ >risp accents, yet edged with pule-

ent. EHou always coe and go when you

eel lie it, so I fail to see any reason forhat rear.’

E$orry.’ $he #it her lip, hesitating. EIuppose I ust #e going soon. I’ll go ne@t

wee, then.’EI’ not pushing you off’EI never said you were.’ =inda sounded

uly all at once and her pretty outhrooped in a pout.



384 +

EFhat’s the atter with you%’ snappedBrand, clearly having the greatest difficulty with his patience.

E6othing, #ut you’re so #ad-tepered.ve said I’ll go, so what ore do you want%can’t pac up right now and leave.’

EIt’s high tie you were in your #ed, y

irl,’ retorted her cousin with swift asper-ty. E!or soe reason #est nown to your-elf you’re having the greatest difficulty ineing civil. I don’t now a#out y teper,ut yours is certainly frayed*’

=inda’s outh tre#led she looedeady to weep and #oth Teri and Gon wereecoing uncoforta#le. )ealiing this,

Brand changed the su#Dect and the conver-

ation reained light for the rest of thevening.



>&A1T/) !;C)

T&/H rode alongside the river - Gon, Teri

nd Fendy, the child on her sall pony ooing as though she had #een #orn in theaddle. It was the enchanted hour #eforeundown. Gon had finished his wor andfter taing a rest he succu#ed to the per-uasions of his daughter who, during theast three wees, had #itterly coplainedhat he had not once ridden with her sincehe had learned to ride the pony.



3+3 +

EHou should ae an effort to #e wither ore,’ Teri had said when her niecead left the roo. E$he needs you, Gon.’

EHes, you’re quite right. Fe’ll all go to-ether, #efore dinner.’

And so here they were, riding #y theiver which separated their land fro that

f Brand, the dar river that sluggishly ransported its a#er-coloured load downo the confluence where it would Doin the

=ipopo, the strea that drained a greatart of the interior plateau - the #ushveld -

ischarging into the Indian ;cean aftereandering through the wooded interior

ighlands of 2oa#ique. It was a yster-ous river, with any a grove offshooting

ts #ans, and it was to one of these thaton directed his horse, his daughter andister following, for the path had narrowednd it was no longer possi#le for the toide three a#reast. They disounted oneaching the outer edge of the trees there



3+8

was soe etallic quality a#out the ato-phere, with the sy #ecoing dar indigond the evening stor-lit. Thunder was in

he offing it would #e followed #y a violenttor with the consequent springing up of

weeds alost overnight.EFhat a delightful place*’ Teri entered

he grove and stood in a tiny clearing. A ascade of diinutive proportions cut a

way through lichen-covered rocs as it pro-ressed towards the strea that woundhrough the grove on its way to the $au#u.

0ense undergrowth covered ost of theround, watered #y the spray fro the wa-erfall and the sell of dap vegetationervaded the whole area. =avender-#lue

lowers caught the clear crystal reflectionnd changed to palest auve as they swungn the slight oveent of air flashes of ght passed along the leaves of cactus and

gnited its orange-rose flowers. !ro theround white flowers peeped shyly fro



3++

he verdure of thorny scru# and succulentsnd vine tangles, while a#ove this tropicalggloeration the #lossos of the #ohenia

rees deepened fro creay-white tourest gold as the slanting sun#easropped lower in the sy. EI’ve noticed thisrove any ties and proised yself a

isit. It’s lie fairyland.’E0elightful,’ agreed Gon #riefly, his eyes

canning all #efore hi. &e seeed ateace, a sile hovering on his lips. Theranquillity of his surroundings was #egin-

ing to tae effect, Teri realied, Dust as2irrie had #elieved it would.

EI shall eep this for y own secret den,’eclared Fendy and, with iediate in-

onsistency, EI’ll #ring Auntie =inda here’he #egan Duping up and down on theap vegetation. E$he’s coing on !riday*

That’s what she said in her letter, isn’t it,Auntie Teri%’



3+9

EHes, darling, she’ll #e here in threeays’ tie.’

EI didn’t thin she’d coe while Cncle

Brand was away, did you%’E6o, dear, I didn’t.’ Teri had considered

t ost odd, the oent she had read=inda’s letter.

Gon siled down at his daughter.EHou’re very fond of Auntie =inda, aren’t

ou%’EHes, of course I a.’ The child’s ani-

ted little face was turned upwards and aender light entered her father’s eyes. E$heoesn’t loo lie y uy, #ut she feelse her. I love her ne@t to Auntie Teri.’

A failiar pricling sensation touched

he nerves of Teri’s spine her eyes wererawn to her #rother’s face. It had #ecoeaut, and a drift of white crept up under thean at #oth sides of his outh. As for Terierself, she was aware of soething in heru#conscious straining for attention,



3+ +

eanding an acceptance, and she closeder eyes as fear and an@iety shot througher. $he recalled several incidents - the

ount of tie =inda spent at Jarunda,nd her reluctance to go hoe even when

Brand had practically told her it was tiehe did so, the way =inda would loo at

on, and the way they had gone on aheadhat evening, disappearing into the se-luded grove. And now =inda was coinggain to >andida =odge ... even though herousin was away on holiday.

EIt’s strange that =inda should coe toBrand’s place in his a#sence,’ she ur-ured, watching Gon’s face closely.

EI e@pect she lies #eing here it’s far

refera#le to the town.’ &is tones wereild, e@pressionless, and yet ... E$he’s oftenold e she loves the scenery round here,nd she delights in the peace and theoneliness.’



3+

EHou’ve #een taling to her quite a lot, itees%’ Fas Gon deli#erately avoiding herae - or was it erely her iagination% &e

hrugged and said noncoittally,E6ot a lot, Teri. Fe’ve chatted together,

s one does with one’s friends.’Teri’s fears grew in spite of the apparent

isinterest in her #rother’s voice. Fas healling in love with =inda% 1erhaps the at-raction was only on =inda’s side, which

ust ean that she would #e un#eara#ly urt. If only Gon had not #egun that deceit*

&ad =inda nown he was still arried shewould assuredly have guarded against #e-oing too attached to hi. Teri con-idered her own position. $he had #ecoe

@treely fond of =inda and envisaged air and lasting friendship developingetween Brand’s cousin and herself despitehe aniosity e@isting in her own relation-hip with Brand, an aniosity which sheelt would endure indefinitely. Teri’s



3+5 +

houghts switched entirely to Brand. 0ur-ng the past few wees there had #een noou#t a#out his growing interest in her. To

what e@tent she did not now, or to whatnd. $he felt soehow that he was haner-ng after an affair with her. &e new a#out

Jep he ust also #e aware of his own at-

ractiveness as a an, for had not =inda as-erted that woen ran after hi% $o he

was planning to catch Teri on the re#ound,ptiistic of an eventual surrender. Teriould not give hi credit for anything ore

incere #ecause en weren’t sincere, they weren’t to #e trusted. Gon of course was dif-erent, and her father. That this conclusion

was wholly illogical eluded her siply #e-

ause she wasted no tie dwelling on theatter. 1otential suitors were in a differentategory fro her relatives they were in

Jep’s category - shallow, insincere, un-aithful. Teri’s thoughts continued to focusheselves on Brand, who at ties had



3+:

dopted a char which to any woan in aeceptive ood ust have proved devastat-ng, and there was an odd quality of per-

uasion a#out hi, as if his one o#Dect waso stir her feelings so that she would #e-oe aware of hi as a an. All thishould have left her cold - in fact she as-

ured herself that it did leave her cold, #utn an honest oent she aditted that heid affect her in soe sall way, for it was

possi#le to ignore his power and theagnetis of his personality, or to ae

ght of his superlative qualities of effi-iency and wisdo. &is astery also re-eatedly ade itself felt and on several oc-asions Teri found herself o#eying an order

e had given. This assertiveness had re-istered, of course, #ut although heracles had risen she had #een quite un-#le to put up any effective show of defi-nce. It was for Gon’s sae, she told herself,ut once again in an honest oent she



3+4

wned that it was no easy thing to runounter to a an with Brand’s particularype of authority. ;n the far she had

lready given up the struggle he and Gonaled together and arranged the wor andhe future of Jarunda #etween the. Theough veld was rapidly #eing cleared and

ollowing the preparation on the land theitrus trees would #e planted they wouldoon send out #right green shoots #ut these

would #e cut off copletely, leaving only aare stup. Alost iediately another

et of shoots would spring forth, and thesewould #e allowed to grow. Fithin a shortwhile the #right citrus fruits would hang

e fairy lanterns against the polished

oliage.EI hope nothing goes wrong while

Brand’s away,’ Gon’s quiet voice #roughtTeri #ac to her surroundings and her eyesettled on Fendy, who was stroinglower-heads. The child seeed to derive



397

reat pleasure fro this she never ap-eared to have any desire to pluc thelowers fro their stals.

EFhat can go wrong%’ They were wal-ng to the clearing again and Gon #econedo his daughter.

Gon shrugged.

EFell, nothing, I suppose. The anialsre all in fine fettle and the ealies areooing e@treely healthy.’ &e turned ontepping through the trees and out into thepen again. The African corn, now growinguite high, shiered away into the dis-ance lie a wide e@panse of sooth greenea, shadowed here and there as clouds o#-cured the sun. EHes, we’re doing very well.’

on gaed with pride on his crop, and hisyes went #eyond. EFe’d never have clearedhat #ush with our three #oys. 0o you real-e, Teri, that very soon we shall see our cit-us fruits growing there% >an you picturehe%’



393 +

$he nodded. &aving #een on holiday inany parts of the 2iddle /ast she new he delights of great e@panses of orange

rees and leons. In Israel, they sweptway for iles #eyond the roads, and it washe sae in any other countries in thategion.

E>an you iagine it at #losso tie,on% Is there anything so heady as air sat-rated with the scent of orange #losso%’

EIndeed, no. I’ looing forward to it,Teri. In five years’ tie that land over there

will #e a flourishing citrus grove.’In five years’ tie. They would have for-

otten their pain. Jep’s face would no,onger rise up to torture her Fendy would

ot now what her other had looed lie.&ow sad life was, and yet tie was an in-alli#le healer.

;n reaching the hoestead Gon co-lained of an ache in his stoach, and afteraving had his dinner he was violently sic.



398

E$hall I get a doctor%’ Teri asedn@iously. Gon’s face was grey and drawnnd although he shoo his head and de-

lared he would #e as right as rain in theorning she could see that he suffered

reat pain. EI thin I’d #etter go for the doc-or,’ she said a short while later on taing

i a drin he had ased for. &e was lyingown in #ed, his eyes closed.

EIt’s only that I’ve eaten soethingwhich hasn’t agreed with e,’ he said,anaging to sit up and tae the glass fro

Teri’s hand. EIt could have #een that por andwich I had in town. I stopped for anac yesterday when I was out.’

EIt ust have #een that,’ she agreed.

Fendy and I have had everything else thatou’ve eaten.’

E=eave e now, Teri, and don’t loo soworried. I’ always a#le to sleep yself

etter, you now that.’ EBetter fro colds



39+

nd headaches, yes, #ut tuy trou#le’sot so easily cured.’

EIt’ll go.’ Gon slid down #etween the

heets and closed his eyes. Teri put out theght and left hi, her thoughts flying to

Brand. $trange it was that this should #eo, and yet Brand was so relia#le that it was

lways to hi that their thoughts flew noatter what went wrong. Fell, Brand was

way, visiting friends in 1retoria, so they would have to anage without hi. 6othat he could do uch a#out Gon’s illness -

@cept perhaps to recoend a doctor.The following orning Gon was no #et-

er, #ut neither was he any worse, and al-hough Teri desired to #ring in a doctor

on would not hear of it.E>an you eat anything, 0addy%’ Fendy

tood #y his #ed, her sall hand feeling hisead as if she would lie to soothe hi. EIad a poorly tuy once, do you ree-er% - and it all coes up in lups’



399

E0arling,’ interrupted Teri as her #roth-r’s face too on an even greyer tinge, Eyouon’t spea of such things.’ EFhy%’

EBecause it isn’t nice.’E6o, it isn’t nice. It aes your throat

ore when you’ve finished’ETeri, for heaven’s sae get that child

ut of here.’ Gon #rushed his daughter’sand away and turned over, towards the

wall. EAnd close the curtains. I feel #etter inhe dar.’

Teri oved to the window. Fendy said,E&ave you got a headache, 0addy%’EHes, Fendy, I have.’EIt hurts awful, doesn’t it% 2uy used

o say she could iss ine #etter, #ut it still

urt. 0o you want e to try and iss yoursetter%’

E6o, darling, 0addy doesn’t want you toother hi Dust now. >oe on, pet. Fe’lloe #ac later.’ EFill 0addy #e #etterhen%’ E1erhaps. =et’s hope so.’



39 +

EIsn’t 0addy having any #reafast%’ E6ott present. &e’s had a cup of tea and as I’veaid, we’ll go in to hi later on.’

The stor had #roen during the nightnd the garden was steaing as the sun,eating up, drew off the oisture. Feeds

#ounded and Teri later rode through theealies, an@iously calculating how high theweeds would #e in another couple of days,

s she was sure Gon would #e laid up for ateast that length of tie.

By the orning of =inda’s arrival Teriad decided to #egin harrowing, #ut sheaid nothing of this to Gon, who had en-ioned the weeds several ties the previous

ay.E1erhaps you’d #etter as Brand’s head

oy to arrange for the weeding to #e done,’e suggested, uch iproved #ut still so

wea that he had no desire to get up, uchess was he a#le to wor. EBrand did say



39

hat we could contact his #oy if anythingwent wrong, so I’ sure he won’t ind.’

EI’ll thin a#out it - #ut you ustn’t

worry, Gon, it’ll get done.’ To her relief Gonid not pursue the atter. $he could an-ge very well herself, she decided, ost re-uctant to #orrow Brand’s #oys when he

was away fro hoe.=inda arrived in tie for lunch and Teri

watched her e@pression with interest as she@plained that Gon was unwell. =inda’slowly-receding colour confired Teri’s

uspicions and she frowned inwardly. Fhatwas to #e the outcoe of =inda’s growing

ffection for Gon%E>an I go in to hi%’ =inda ased

n@iously, and Teri nodded.EHes, he’s awae. I’ll go and see if he’s

eady to receive a visitor.’ A oent laterhe returned fro her #rother’s roo, say-ng that =inda could go in.



395 +

EI’ll coe as well, Auntie =inda.’ Fendy hot ahead, holding the door open for

=inda to pass through. The door closed and

Teri stood a long while in thought. That=inda would ae a good wife for Gon she

id not for one oent dou#t... #ut wason still in love with )osalind%

EI wonder if you’d have Fendy this af-ernoon,’ Teri was asing =inda as they satown to lunch. EI want to start harrowing

he ealies.’=inda looed up quicly.

EHou% It’s not your sort of wor. I’ll tellohnson to get soe of Brand’s #oys on it.’

EI’d rather do it yself. I can drive aractor,’ she added. EI’ve tried once or twice

nd it isn’t any trou#le really.’=inda shoo her head.EIn this heat it will #e.’EI want to do it yself.’ Fas it ere o#-

tinacy% Teri ased herself. ;r was she o-ivated #y the deterination to let Brand



39:

ee that she was not so helpless as he o#vi-usly assued her to #e% It would #e grati-ying to prove her ettle, to witness his

iscofiture when he was forced to ac-nowledge his istae.

EI’ll have Fendy with pleasure,’ =indawas saying across the ta#le. EBut I still

hin you’d #e #etter letting Brand’s #oyset to wor on the weeds.’

Teri let that pass, and as =inda realiedow deterined she was the conversationwitched to Gon on who =inda’s thoughts

ad #een focused all the tie. &e ought toave a doctor, she said, naing one in

;asville.E&e won’t have one. In any case he’s i-

roving now and I’ sure he’ll #e up in aouple of days.’

E&ow stu##orn en are,’ declared =indalost angrily. E&e loos a dreadful colour,

Teri.’



394

EI now. 6evertheless, he is uch #et-er, as I’ve said. If he hadn’t have #een I’dave #rought ,the doctor in whether Gon

ad lied it or not.’=inda cleared the ta#le and was aing

erself useful at the sin when Teri wentff to fetch the tractor. &arrowing the

ender plants was a tas requiring sill, #utTeri had watched her #rother and after one

r two inor istaes she anaged very well. Two #oys followed the harrow while

nother tacled the growth of weeds on the

utside edge of the field. Fhen a couple of ours had passed Teri was pleased with herrogress, although the heat seared into herrs and her face felt as if a hot-air fan

were trained upon it her shirt and Deanswere sticing to her #ody. But she carried

n with stalwart resolution, visualiingBrand’s face when he saw how well thewor had #een carried out. &e would #eorced to tae #ac those words a#out



37

woen not aing farers - good or #ad.&e was a popous an and no istae -o full of his own superiority, so

addeningly self-confident. Het he was at-ractive, she also owned, and she coparedi with Jep. Taller, uch taller, and@celling in #odily strength. Jep was

andsoe, #ut in a softer way he had nothe lean, outdoor toughness of Brand, norad he the confidence. &e was gentler -es, that was it. Jep was ild and gentle

while Brand was forceful and often roughly

asculine.1erspiration #egan to drip fro Teri’s

ace and her wide-#ried hat seeed toe ceented to her head. $he felt a sudden

urge of pain in her shoulders and #ac nd #egan to wonder if she had done too

uch. /ven Gon too a rest when the sunwas at its hottest.

At last she reached the liit of her en-urance and, stopping the tractor, she slid



33 +

own on to the ground. It was cool underhe shade of the trees growing along #y theiver and she leant #ac against one of the

chen- covered truns. &er eyes felttrange and a wash of pin seeed to coverhe whole area around her. $he #lined,ut the landscape did not resue its natur-

l tawny colour.EI’ve done too uch,’ she said out loud.

$till, I’ve covered soe ground and if I canet at the rest in the orning it’ll have #een

well worth the effort.’The sun was dropping #ehind the dis-

ant hills and Teri gave a deep sigh of relief.The #lessed cool of the evening would soonover the farlands and the stoep would #e

athed in welcoe shade. !or the present,owever, she was still hot and the dap-ess lay heavily on her whole #ody. ;h, for#ath and the feel of a cool soft #ed againster #ac*



38 +

The sound of hooves arrested her atten-ion and she turned her head. Brand .... &eeeed to #e in a hurry as he spurred his

orse along the river #an, aing for thelace where she was sitting. &e had o#vi-usly decided to return sooner than he hadriginally planned - #ut why should he

ave coe here%EGon%’ she faltered as he disounted,

ut saw at once that there was no hint of n@iety on his face. ;n the contrary, it wasar with fury.

EFhat the hell are you doing%’ hehundered, glowering at her. E=inda tells

e you’ve #een on that daned achineor the whole of the afternoon* Are you

uite ad%’$he stood up, supporting herself on legs

hat felt lie elting [email protected] was wor to #e done, so I did it.’

he frowned darly at hi. EI don’t now what’s wrong with you.’



3+ +

EFrong*’ &e gritted his teeth neverad she seen a an so furiously angry as

his giant who stood so enacingly over

er. EHou new you could send over to y lace for help. I told Gon that - and he toldou.’ &e stopped and looed her over, not-ng the dap clothes, the hat pushed #ac

ro a clay forehead, the wet tendrilsf hair and the sticiness of her face andec. EHou’d rather #e independent, eh%

And how do you feel after having spent allhose hours doing a an’s wor%’ Frathful

arcas #it deeply into his voice his eyesontinued to rae her, souldering e#ersn their depths. Fhat right had he to evinceuch anger% And in any case, it was alto-

ether out of proportion. An adonish-ent she had half e@pected on seeing hiiding towards her, siply #ecause heould not help having soething #iting toay to her, #ut anger of this strengthaffled her copletely. 6evertheless, she



39 +

was in no ood to argue with hi in facthe was so weary, with every #one in herody aching, that she could have #urst into

ears.EI do feel a little tired,’ she aditted, #ut

ust had to add, EI’ve anaged very well,hough.’

Brand drew an e@asperated #reath.EAnd if you weren’t tired I’d lay into you

ight now*’ he snapped, his outh erely ightening as the colour flooded her face.

EI don’t now what this is all a#out,’ sheeturned quiveringly, E#ut you’re acting inhe ost ridiculous anner. 0o you indaing your horse away% I want to drive theractor along there’ $he stopped as, #e-

ore his intention #ecae in any way clear,e had swung her up and he hiself was in

he saddle #ehind her. EFhat% =et eown*’ she flared, #ut his ars were rounder and he never spoe a word in answer to



3 +

er protests as he too her towards theJarunda hoestead.

Bac in the yard she glared up at hi.

EFhat’s the idea% &ow dare you treate in that high-handed anner% I’ve a

ood ind to go #ac and pic up thatractor*’ This was sheer defiance - childish

efiance - #ecause she could no ore goac than fly, not the way she felt atresent.

Fithout a word Brand piced her upnd she was duped, none too gently, onhe stoep.

EInside,’ he ordered curtly, Eand into theathroo*’

Astounded, she could only stare for one

aleful oent.EI deand an e@planation,’ she #laed,

lancing round, wondering why =inda andFendy weren’t anywhere a#out.

E0o you go into that #ath or do I put youhere yself%’ he said, ignoring her words.



3 +

EHou ust #e ad* &ow dare you tae itpon yourself to tell e what I ust do* Ilease yself, and don’t you ever forget it.’

To her disay tears started to her eyes. $hewas too fatigued to #e taing part in a quar-el lie this. It would not #e so #ad, shehought, if she new what it was all a#out.

Brand ust have gone copletely ad.&e too a step which #rought hi close

nd he stood over her, tall and lean andorida#le.

EAre you going to do as you’re told%’ he

nquired softly. EI ean what I say, Teri. I’llup you in that #ath, clothes and all, un-

ess you o#ey e’E;#ey% ;h, I’ speechless*’

Brand laughed suddenly, and ade aove to carry out his threat.

EI’ll go,’ she quivered, #ut added, herlue eyes flashing, EIt’s only #ecause I wanto. I’d every intention of taing a #ath the

oent I cae in.’



35 +

EI should hope you had.’ &is eyes fliceder sudged face and gru##y hands andrs. EHou certainly need one.’

Teri seethed, #ut swung on her heel andtaled into the house. Ten inutes later,ying in the #ath, she was still seething.

Fhat had coe over that hateful an%

0oineering and iperious how she de-ested hi* - and she would certainly leti see it fro now on. $he had #een civil

or Gon’s sae, #ut not any longer. 6ot evenor her #rother would she allow herself to

e treated lie this. After a while she rela@ed. The water and

alts were already in the #ath when shentered the #athroo, so it was clear that

Brand had ordered Garu to do this whileBrand hiself went to fetch her #ac to the

ouse. Garu had #een generous with thealts and as she lay there they #egan to taeffect, and although when she cae out shetill felt as if she carried a heavy load on



3:

er #ac she was in soe easureefreshed.

EI ae you cool drin, issy,’ grinned

aru. EBaas )oyce says also to ae youoe sandwiches.’

Teri drew a deep #reath, controlling herongue with the greatest effort she had no

wish that Garu should have soething toossip a#out aong his friends. EFhere is

2iss =inda and Fendy%’EThey go to >andida =odge for tea - #e-

ause Baas Gon is sleeping all the tie.’

EI see. &ave you the drin ready%’ EInnly one inute. I have to #ring the tray

nto the lounge. Baas’EHes, I now. 2r. )oyce says so.’ EThat’s

ight, issy. In one inute.’ Teri peepednto her #rother’s roo on her way to theounge. &e was fast asleep.

E$it down and eat,’ ordered Brand whenaru had #een in with the tray. Teri gritteder teeth, #ut sat down and piced up the



34 +

lass of orange Duice. It was good, and shead drun half the contents when at lasthe put it down.

Brand was standing #y the window,ressed in linen slacs and an olive-greenhirt. &is hands were thrust into his poc-ts and he teetered #ac on his heels as he

egarded her across the distance separatinghe.

EHou’re a#out the ost stu##orn woan’ve ever et,’ he told her shortly. EFhy didou have to #e so independent% 0id it

eally give you any satisfaction%’$he had eant it to afford her e@tree

atisfaction, Teri recalled ... #ut soethingad gone very wrong.

EThe wor had to #e done’E0on’t let e have any ore of your

vasions, Teri, or I’ quite liely to lose y atience.’

$he glared at hi.



37

EFould you ind telling e what this isll a#out%’ she ased furiously. EI’ve Dustold you that I please yself what I do.’

Brand’s eyes narrowed.EFhat you want,’ he coented softly,

s a strong hand a#out your hide.’Teri’s fury rose to suffocation point, al-

hough the sudden sweep of colour in herhees was entirely the result of her co-anion’s words.

EGust who do you thin you are*’EThe an with the strong hand,’ he

aughed, staring in o#vious enDoyent aser anger and e#arrassent increased.he could not spea and at length Brandaid in a uch inder tone, E/at soething,

Teri. Hou’ve taen too uch out of yourself his after-noon.’

$he #lined rapidly. This softer oodnly served to ae her feel sorry for her-elf, and less angry with Brand. And her

ain desire was to sustain her anger



33 +

gainst hi. $he piced up a sandwich andoo a #ite, conscious of his eyes taing iner every action.

EHou told Gon you wouldn’t #e #ac untilhe weeend,’ she said at last when the si-ence threatened to #ecoe oppressive.

&e siled faintly.

E>hanging the su#Dect again, eh% I wasaying you deserved a good walloping foreing so daned independent thisfternoon.’

EHou’re taling in a ridiculous anner,’he snapped. EI’ y own istress, and al-

ways will #e.’Brand oved over to a chair and sat

own. E>onfired spinster%’ &e laughed as

e spoe and Teri’s chin lifted.EI intend to reain unarried, yes. And

fail to see anything to ause you in that.’EI a aused, nevertheless.’ A sall

ause. EI thin it’s tie for e to adit thatnow a little of your #acground’



38

EGon’s #een taling to you%’ she inter-upted, frowning.

E0on’t #lae hi altogether. I pro#ed,

#ecause I was curious. I deplore ysteries.’Teri forgot her anger, and her resent-

ent of his high-handed #ehaviour.EHou now a#out y #roen

ngageent%’Brand nodded and leant #ac in his

hair.EI had guessed, of course, even #efore I

sed Gon a#out this Jep who Fendy entioned. &ad the engageent not #een

roen you wouldn’t #e here. A woanever willingly goes far fro the an she

oves.’ 6o coent fro Teri Brand

watched her in silence for a space, notinghe pallor of her chees now, in alosttartling contrast to the rosy hue of e#ar-assent which they had worn only a few

oents ago.



3+

EIt doesn’t really atter if you now.’Teri’s lip quivered as she spoe, herhoughts #eing on Jep and the wonderful

uture she and he had planned together.But what I want you to understand is thathe e@perience has taught e a lesson. 2enren’t to #e trusted no atter how char-

ng they ight appear on the surface. 6oan will ever deceive e again.’

E6ice thrust.’ &e regarded her in soeuseent. EI can’t recall having #een par-icularly charing - owing to lac of en-

ourageent,’ he seeed forced to add.EI never suggested you were charing*’E0on’t #e childish, Teri it’s totally un-

haracteristic. $o I’ to #e classed in the

ae category as a fellow who Dilts you onhe wedding eve, a I%’

Teri flinched at his words, spoen withwhat could only #e descri#ed as #rutal in-

ifference to her feelings.



39

EI haven’t put you into any particularategory,’ she returned curtly. EHou’re a

an and in consequence I’ve no interest in

ou whatsoever.’Brand’s eyes glinted, cold as steel. But

is tones were good-huoured enough ase said,

E!air enough, Teri. At least we now where we stand.’

$he looed at hi in #ewilderent.EFhere we stand%’&e quired a sile at her.EIt could #e that I ight have found you

ttractive.’ Brand watched her closely as hepoe, noticing the sudden fluctuation of olour in her face.

EHou tal a great deal of nonsense.’Teri’s eyes were fi@ed on the sandwich she

eld #etween her fingers, and a glier of useent entered her copanion’s gae.

EAnd so do you,’ he responded, and oncegain she looed #ewilderedly at hi.



3 +

Fhen you state so ephatically that you’rentending to reain a spinster,’ he elucid-ted. Teri fell silent the conversation was

oo intiate, Dust as it had #een on a previ-us occasion. Brand appeared to enDoy the

ntiacy he was thoroughly huan andot at all lie the an who at first had

reated her with such sarcas and disdain.Fhy this interest% It was growing all thewhile... and Teri had to adit that it was

aving soe effect on her own eotions.he cast Brand a flicering glance fro un-

er her lashes. &e was siling faintly, andhat lip edged up at one side. 2ost attract-ve, it was. And those eyes, huorous andet pro#ing, were soft too in a way Teri had

ot noticed #efore.EIt could #e that I ight have found you

ttractive,’ he had Dust said. Teri recalleder earlier notion that he was pro#a#ly oping to have an affair with her, hoping toain soe advantage #y catching her on



3

he re#ound. And yet he was so cool a#outt all there was nothing of the aorous,

would-#e lover a#out hi as he leant #ac

n the chair, one #rown hand tapping ther while the other cae up suddenly totifle a yawn. 6o, there was certainly noth-ng of the lover a#out hi, she decided,

eeling relieved #y this. Brand was a goodriend to Gon and Teri wished only that theriendship reain unipaired. This woulde ipossi#le were any coplications toccur in her own relationship with Brand -

nd coplications ust undou#tedly resultwere he to ae any sort of advance to-wards her.

EHou now, Teri,’ Brand was saying, Ethe

ellow isn’t worth a thought.’$he looed across at Brand, strangely

npertur#ed #y this plain speaing. 6ever-heless, she had no wish to prolong thisonversation and she said,



35 +

EI’ not willing to discuss y private af-airs, Brand, so we’ll change the su#Dect if ou don’t ind.’

&is outh tightened he had all the airf the iperious dictator who had forci#ly ut a stop to her wor soe half an hour oro earlier.

E&aven’t you the sense to forget thean%’

&er eyes #laed.EI’ve said we’ll change the su#Dect*’Brand ignored that.EIt’s o#vious that #oth you and Gon

ae out here in order to forget the past.on sees to #e succeeding, whereas youee deterined not to do so.’

EIs it any of your #usiness%’ she asedrigidly.

Brand stood up.E6one at all,’ he replied une@pectedly.

Tell Gon I’ll #e over in the orning to seeow he is.’ A sall pause and then, with



3:

phasis, EAnd I’ll send soe of y enver to finish the harrowing. =eave thatractor where it is.’

Teri clenched her teeth.EFho do you thin you are to give e

rders lie that%’ she deanded furiously.EHou’ve already ased e that.’ A glea

f sardonic huour replaced the steely ght in his eyes. EI told you I was the an

with the strong hand, ree#er%’$he could not stand any ore and,

ising to her feet, she ordered hi out of he house.

EAs Gon’s asleep,’ she added for goodeasure, Ethere’s no need for you to #e here

t all. Hou’re his friend, not ine.’

&e looed down at her with an e@pres-ion of acute disdain #efore, swingingound, he left the roo, taing the ver-ndah steps two at a tie. Teri watchedi ount and ride away, down towards

he river and the #ridge. After a while she



34

ealied she was tre#ling slightly in spitef her relief at having rid herself of hisopany.



>&A1T/) !IM/

F&AT had she done% Fould he stay away,

ecause she had insulted hi% &ad sheaused an irrepara#le rift #etween herrother and Brand%

EI don’t care,’ she told herself, picingp the tray and taing it into the itchen.

&e deserved it. And if he’s a an at alle’ll adit that he deserved it*’

/asy to tell herself that she did not care,ut as the evening wore on Teri found her-

elf carrying a leaden weight in the pit of



353 +

er stoach. Gon had waened and eaten aght eal, #ut he had instantly doed off gain. =inda #rought Fendy #ac, #ut left

n hearing that Gon was sleeping.EI’ going to the 0aleys’ for supper,’ she

aid, adding, EHou don’t ind if I coe overn the orning%’

E;f course not coe any tie. Gon’such #etter this evening,’ Teri added,watching =inda’s face.

EI’ glad. &e should #e up toorrow,on’t you thin%’ &er e@pression was con-

rolled, #ut Teri was not deceived. =indawas fast losing her heart to Gon.

EHes, =inda, he’ll #e up - for a while.&e’s still wea, otherwise he wouldn’t #e

leeping so uch, so I e@pect he’ll soon tirend want to go #ac to #ed.’

=inda nodded.EI’ll #e here early and stay for lunch - if

ou’ll have e for lunch, that is%’ sherinned.



358 +

EFe’ll all #e delighted. Thans for hav-ng Fendy.’

EA pleasure. That child’s a ge’ =inda

roe off as Fendy, having #een along toer father’s roo, reappeared. E6ight-ight, =ittle 0ainty. $ee you toorrow.’

EFhy is 0addy always asleep%’ Fendy

was asing a few inutes later as Teri wasathing her. EI wanted to tell hi what Iad for y tea.’

E0addy will #e awae toorrow. &e’seen very poorly and when you’re poorly

ou usually want to sleep a lot.’ Teriropped a couple of plastic ducs into the

water. EHou can tell e what you had forour tea.’

EIt was sandwiches - all inds, whichAuntie =inda ased $haa to ae. $haa’sCncle Brand’s cooing lady. 0id you now hat%’

Teri siled at her niece.EHes, I new that.’



35+ +

EFell, $haa ade these #eautiful sand-wiches and we had caes as well and lovely ruit with crea on it.’

EThat sounds awfully good. 0id you say han you to Auntie =inda%’

Fendy nodded vigorously.EHes, I did, and I said than you to

haa as well, #ecause she did all thewor.’

EThat was a good girl.’EI told Auntie =inda that y uy

sed to ae nice caes lie those.’ Fendy ushed one of the ducs a#out with her toe.

Auntie =inda said a funny thing when Iold her 2uy had gone away on a longoliday. $he said, (1oor Fendy. They

hould have told you the truth.P Fhat didhe ean%’

Teri #it her lip. =inda’s conclusionswere that Gon had ade this lie up in pref-

rence to telling his daughter the Etruth’ -which was, so =inda #elieved, that her



359 +

other was dead. Fhat a uddle* Teri felthe would #e relieved when the truth didventually coe out, even though it ust

lace Gon in an awward position. But thisresent situation could not continue =inda

was #ecoing ore and ore eneshedwhile Gon hiself pro#a#ly reained in ig-

orance of her feelings for hi.EI don’t now what she eant,’ lied Teri,

dding, EIt wasn’t anything iportant,hough. There, are you ready to coe out%’

E6ot yet,’ coa@ed Fendy. EGust a teeny-

weeny #it ore tie%’EMery well. Fhere’s your other duc%

Are you sitting on it%’ she teased, andFendy looed up at her and laughed.

E E>ourse not. It would hurt*’ Fendy ound it and #egan playing with it. EAuntie

=inda ased e if 2uy was pretty and Iaid yes, she was the prettiest lady in the

whole world’ Fendy stopped, her #row urrowing as she gaed up at her aunt.



35 +

Hou’re pretty as well.’ Fendy lapsed intooncentration, her wide #row still fur-owed. E&ave I told a #ig fi#% Hou see, I

hin you are as pretty as 2uy, #ut Iaid she was the prettiest lady in the whole

world.’E6o, darling, you haven’t told a fi#. To

ou, 2uy is the prettiest lady in thewhole world.’ Teri’s voice tre#led, andhe swallowed a lup in her throat. E>oe,

y pet, let’s have you out.’ Fendy ade noeur this tie and Teri lifted her out and

egan ru##ing her down. EAre you quite dry ow%’

EHes, and I’ tired as well. >an I havey il in #ed%’

EMery well.’ Teri too it in a few inutesfter putting Fendy to #ed. The child wasast asleep and Teri stood staring down ater for a long while, the glass of war il

n her hand. Bright curls tu#led a#out theillow the childish outh was curved in a



35 +

ontented sile. Teri thought of =inda,who seeed so taen with the child ... andhen Teri’s thoughts switched to Brand and

he way she had ordered hi fro theouse. Gon would #e so upset he would #engry too, there was no dou#t a#out that.

Brand was the only real friend he had he

was a friend on who Gon relied andlready he had #een enorously helpful toi.

Ctterly isera#le, and fatigued froer wor, Teri sat on the stoep, inhaling the

ool fresh air and aing a concentratedffort to rela@ and forget all a#out her quar-el with Brand. But it was ipossi#le ander eyes ept straying to the lights flicer-

ng through the trees #ordering the river.Brand always had the outside light on andTeri could picture the sooth lawns illu-inated, and the vivid #ougainvillea which

rew up the pillars at the end of the front



355 +

toep. Brand would #e alone, since =indawas visiting =arry and Goan 0aley.

The stillness #ecae oppressive Teri

elt lonely and lost and the weight in hertoach reained, aing it all worse, ast was a constant reinder of her quarrel

with Brand. At last she reached a decision

nd, driving the station wagon, she reachedhe road and then the turning which led toheir neigh#our’s tree-lined drive, >o-lete darness had fallen and the starslared, #righter and ore spectacular than

nything Teri had ever seen in /ngland.The air all around was deliciously cool it

rought e@otic perfues floating throughhe open windows of the car. Away in the

i purple distance the #lac outline of ve-etation growing along the #ans of the

=ipopo too on strange shapes as it cutharply into the sy. It was a ystic worldf silence and darness, a peaceful worldnd to her surprise Teri felt tranquil



35: +

espite the ordeal to coe. Brand would #eure to reveal his satisfaction quite openlyaustic rears would #e ruthlessly uttered

nd those hael eyes would readily assueheir failiar e@pression of sardonicuseent.

Brand was on the front stoep, rela@ing

n a cane chair, a #oo unopened on hisap. &e stood up as she #rought the station

wagon to a standstill on the forecourt of theodge.

EIs soething wrong%’ he ased,

n@iously scanning her face. EGon%’Teri shoo her head, and oved to-

wards hi with rather slow, reluctantteps.

E6o, it isn’t Gon,’ was all she could say atirst. Brand continued to e@aine her face,awning perception in his eyes. &e #rought

orward a chair.E$it down, Teri, and tell e to what I

we the honour of this visit.’ &e spoe with



354 +

n edge of huour and instead of portray-ng the huility intended Teri sent hi apeaing glance. E$it down,’ he repeated,

nd she o#eyed, looing up at hi as hetood #eside her chair. &is eyes flicerede appeared to #e slightly ipatient, she

hought, and wondered if he were noticing

he #lac sudges under her eyes - the res-lt of tiredness and of reaining out in theun too long.

EHou’ll #e delighted to now that I’ere to offer an apology for ordering you

ro our house,’ she said at last in tonescarcely audi#le. EIt’s #ecause of Gon. I hopeou won’t stop coing to Jarunda%’

&is lips twitched.

E$cared, eh%’ he said sardonically.Fhich is in effect an adission that you doely on y advice to soe e@tent%’

$he nodded, swallowing saliva collect-ng on her tongue.



3:7 +

EHou have #een a great help to us,’ sheditted. EGon would #e lost if you decidedo stay away #ecause of - of what I said to

ou.’E0o you thin I would stay away for that

eason%’EIt would #e understanda#le. It was not

ery good anners to order you to leave’EIt was the height of #ad anners,’ he

wiftly cut in. EIt ay interest you to now hat it was the first tie anyone has everared spea to e lie that.’

EI’ sure it is,’ she agreed, averting heread #ecause of the sternness in his eyesnd the severe set of his outh.

EAnd if anyone should venture to do so

gain’E6o threats, please. I’ trying to e@hi#it

n appropriate aount of huility, #utou’re not helping.’

EAn appropriate aount%’ with gri hu-our. EAnd how uch is that%’ Teri erely



3:3 +

rowned at hi and his auseent grew,is eyes twinling as they continued to sur-ey her. EFhy should I help, anyway% And

s a atter of fact I can’t detect one scrapf huility a#out you. &owever, we’ll for-et the whole thing and #egin all overgain. $it #ac on that chair and rela@ you

oo lie a terrified child sitting there rightn the edge.’

$he sat #ac, wishing with all her hearthat she could retaliate in the way which

would have afforded her the ost satisfac-

ion. If only the an were not so iperiousnd doineering*

&e was ringing a #ell.EFhat are you having%’ he inquired of

Teri, and then, #efore she could reply,Hou’d #etter have soething strong.’

E=eonade,’ she returned defiantly.Brand spoe to the servant in Afriaans

nd a short while later the glass was #einganded to Teri #y Brand.



3:8 +

E$ingapore,’ he e@plained on noting her@pression. E!or the nerves.’

1utting the glass down on the ta#le, she

aid,EI ased for leonade. There’s nothing

wrong with y nerves.’ Brand erely hoo his head in e@asperation and Teri re-

eated sharply, EI ased for leonade.’EAnd now you’re asing for that strong

and again. 0rin that and no ore argu-ent. I’ve taen Dust a#out as uch as Ian fro you, Teri. !ro the oent you

irst set eyes on e you’ve acted lie a frac-ious child. I’ quite unwilling to tae any

ore.’EHou #affle e.’ Teri looed at hi as he

at down opposite to her. EI’ at a copleteoss to understand your attitude of today.’he piced up her glass, prudently decidingt were #etter to placate hi #ecause heooed very uch as if he would carry outhat repeated threat, preposterous as it



3:+ +

would #e. But then his entire #ehaviourad #een preposterous - fro the oente had taen her up on his horse to the

oint where he threatened to put her intohe #ath.

EBaffle you, do I%’ &e twirled his glass,ppearing to #e interested only in its spar-

ng contents. EFell, that’s soething. Iwondered when I’d #egin to awaen- soe

otion in you.’ &e dran and put downis glass, then leant forward slightly andhe saw with surprise that his eyes and

outh had softened. $he lowered her head,ware of hi, as she had #een aware of hin several other occasions. $he felt in-ensely affected #y the power of hi, the

ean asculinity, the attraction. It sud-enly struc her that although she hadearly loved Jep she had never #een si-arly oved #y his attractiveness.

ETell e a#out your fiancK,’ he invitedne@pectedly, alost as if he read her



3:9 +

houghts. EI once suggested that it was goodo tal soeties, and it is, Teri. Althoughou ight not #elieve it I do ae a good

stener.’ &e stopped, siling at her e@pres-ion. EI #affle you even ore, that’s plain.

6evertheless, try to forget that and tal.Tell Cncle Brand the whole you’ll #e sur-

rised how uch #etter you’ll feel.’EI cae #ecause of Gon - and you,’ she

vaded. EHou’ll still #e his friend%’E6o woan could ever affect a friend-

hip of ine.’

EThey’re not worth it, you ean%’ sheust had to retort, and received an e@asper-ted glance for her trou#le.

EI ased you to tal a#out your fiancK,’

e reinded her curtly, and after a sallesitation she found herself wanting toal. $he told Brand everything - how they ad the flat all ready, the presents pouring

n, the invitations sent out, her weddingress ade and hanging in the wardro#e.



3: +

E&e Dilted e alost at the last oent#ut Gon will have told you that,’ she

nded, flushing now that she had told

Brand the whole story - or nearly the wholetory. &ow shoced he would #e were he tonow what really happened at the end* &eaid quietly, and with a strange gentleness

n his deep rich voice, E&e had etoeone else%’ Brand watched her closely s she raised her eyes to his. EGon didn’t say in fact, he seeed to shut up lie a clall at once so I didn’t get the whole story ro hi.’

EJep did find soeone else, yes.’Brand #ecae thoughtful.EThis ust have happened Dust a#out

he tie Gon’s wife died%’Teri nodded, wishing suddenly that she

ould confide in Brand copletely, #ut of ourse she could not.

EIt was a#out the sae tie, yes.’



3: +

EIt all sees clear and uncoplicated,’Brand said at length, #ut added, a frown

etween his eyes, EI still sense soe ys-

ery, though.’$wiftly she shoo her head.EThere isn’t any ystery,’ she #egan,

when he interrupted her.

EThere is, so don’t go deeply into lieswhich you’ll coe to regret.’

EI had no intention of lying,’ she flushedndignantly.

EHou lied when you said there was noystery. Hou see, Gon is also evasive - nothat I’ve questioned hi very uch, #ut if ver the past does crop up in conversatione instantly #ecoes guarded. As you’re

oth the fran, open ind of people thisuardedness is noticea#le.’ Teri ade nooent and after a oent or two of si-ence Brand changed the su#Dect, asing

Teri if she had had her dinner.



3:5 +

EFe had an early eal. Gon can’t eatery uch yet, so I ade soething light.’

E$o I can’t persuade you to share y

inner%’ A flicer of a sile touched theine outline of his outh and soethingtirred within Teri. &astily, defensively, sheaid,

E6o, than you...’ And yet she tailed off.he had not eaten uch, ainly on ac-ount of her isery at what she had donend the conviction that the result of herudeness to Brand would #e a #rea in the

riendship #etween hi and Gon. $he now elt hungry. 2oreover, she new a strangeagerness at the prospect of sharing a eal

with Brand ... Dust the two of the in that

ovely candlelit dining-roo.EHou loo as if you could do with

oething su#stantial,’ Brand decided, andang the #ell. The servant nodded as Brandpoe to hi, and his glance in Teri’s direc-ion told her that Brand had ordered



3:: +

nother place to #e set. Teri could not helpilting her chin at this further deonstra-ion of Brand’s high-handedness and he

urured waingly, EFe’ll dine togethernd don’t you dare argue. )ee#er thattrong hand, Teri. I’ve a sure convictionhat you’ll feel it #efore you’re very uch

lder.’ &e was teasing her, she decided, andanaged a shay laugh, surprising Brand

s uch as herself.E&eaven help the woan who is rash

nough to choose you for a hus#and*’ she

etorted, and the side of his outh lifted inhat quir which Teri had #egun to find

ost attractive.E$he will have learned, #efore she ar-

ies e, to practise caution. Also, I shall dohe choosing.’

Teri piced up her glass and too arin, dwelling on what =inda had said#out Brand doing the chasing, as she hadalled it.



3:4 +

E&ow popous you are*’ Teri put herlass to her outh and regarded Brandro over the ri. E$urely the woan ust

hoose too. 2asterful as you consider your-elf to #e, you can’t very well coerce a wo-

an into arrying you. $he ust #ewilling.’

E2asterful%’ &e seeed aused as heell silent, considering this. Teri watchedi in the #right light fro the laps on

he stoep. $he noticed the hollowed cheeswhich #rought out the strong Dawline, out-

hrust and severe she allowed her gae toest for a while on the fir chin, then heryes dropped to his hands, clasped andesting on the ta#le - #rown hands, strong

nd slender. $he ree#ered her very arly adission that Brand )oyce had the

ost shapely and attractive hands of any an she had ever et. ETell e, Teri,would you yourself prefer a wet fish for a

us#and%’



347 +

&er eyes widened in surprise. $he re-inded hi that she was not in the leastnterested in acquiring a hus#and and

dded,EIn any case, there’s a wide gap #etween

an as doineering as you and a wetish. &us#and and wife should #e partners.’

EHou have a point there,’ was his une@-ected response. But he seeed forced todd, EHet there’s a fundaental weaness#out all woen which inspires astery onhe part of the ale.’

EI’ not wea*’ she flashed, her #lueyes sparling, and a soft laugh escapeder copanion.

EHou are, y dear, and that’s what

aes you so attractive.’ Attractive ... That word again. $o-

ething stirred in Teri’s heart, an alostpercepti#le quiver of eotion not e@per-enced since the idyllic days of her



343 +

ourtship and engageent. $he donned anrour of defence, saying lightly,

EHou tal in riddles, Brand,’ whereupon

e swiftly responded with, EFhy don’t youave a try at solving the riddles% Hou could,ou now, #ut you’re so stu##orn.’

$he frowned at hi, colour tinting her

hees. Fas this his su#tle way of steeringhe course towards an affair% &is interestn Jep, and his hints that Teri attractedi - these were pointers sufficiently plaino anyone with an ounce of perception. Het

oehow Teri could not associate this sortf #ehaviour with Brand, ainly #ecausee was her #rother’s friend. >ould it pos-i#ly #e that he was seriously interested%

This seeed equally ipro#a#le, and ashe could find nothing to say she too efuge in her drin, sipping it slowly as if torolong the silence which had fallenetween the, a silence #roen only #y theulse of nocturnal cicadas in the ango



348 +

rees outside. A gli-er of a sile curvedBrand’s lips and his glance was quiical.

EFhat an e@pert you are at evasion*’ &e

aughed suddenly. E&as it not occurred toou that your repeated evasions can inheselves #e illuinating%’ Teri shoo heread in perple@ity.

EI don’t understand you at all. &ow canvasion #e illuinating%’

&e shrugged. It was a gesture of sperity.

EI’ not o#tuse. Hou’re fighting all thewhile. But #eware that your cautious heart

oesn’t lose all feeling. 2arriage and aaily are a woan’s destiny and one un-ortunate e@perience cannot change all

hat.’Teri lowered her eyes. This plain spea-

ng was altogether too e#arrassing. In ad-ition, the trend of conversation was #e-oing ore and ore intiate with every

oent that passed. Fhere would it end%



34+ +

E2y unfortunate e@perience was enougho turn e fro en’

EAll en% Is that logical%’

EI shall never trust a an again,’ shetated with ephasis, #ringing an ipa-ient sigh fro Brand.

EFhen the right an coes along you’ll

e swept away, Dust lie any other woan.’E$wept on a tide of disillusionent%’

Teri spoe in scoffing tones. E6ot liely*’EFhy are you so sure that history will

epeat itself%’ EI’ not sure, #ut I don’t in-end taing any chances.’

Brand looed at her for a long unsil-ng oent and then he said,

E=et’s change the su#Dect, shall we%

&ow’s the dog% I e@pect I shall see a differ-nce in his sie. &e’ll #e a fairly #ig anial

when he’s fully grown - #ut I did warn youf that.’

Teri nodded, and spoe of the dog, andFendy’s affection for it, #ut the



349 +

onversation was strained, naturally, owingo the a#rupt way Brand had suggestedhey change it. And after a little while an

ncoforta#le silence fell #etween thend in order to end it Teri said a trifleervously,

EI’ not dressed for dining out,’ at

which the strain ended as a quiet laugh es-aped Brand. But he did not e#arrass hery letting her now that he was aware of he reason for her unnecessary stateent.

;n the contrary he said she looed quite

haring, and another oent of silenceollowed as he too in details of her appear-nce - the plain cotton dress with its low-ut necline and tiny sleeves. It was then

hat he #ecae fully aware of the #lotchesn her ars, flaing and angry.

E$un#urn%’ he said, frowning heavily.Hou had your sleeves down when I saw ou.’



34 +

EThen, I did - #ut earlier I had theolled up.’ Autoatically she touched herhoulder, and winced slightly.

EHou idiot*’ )ising fro his chair, heae and stood over her, looing down athe sun#urnt ars. E>oe on inside and I’llive you soething for it.’ &is voice was

te as he added, E6o ore, ree#er.oe of y en will #e over in the orn-

ng - and Dust you dare refuse their help*’&e gestured towards the french window

nd Teri preceded hi into the house.

Brand went off soewhere, returning withedicine #o@ fro which he too a tu#e

f ointent.EThan you.’ Teri held out her hand for

he tu#e Brand quired a sile at her androceeded to unscrew the top.

EI’ll do it - and if you’re thining of a-ng a fuss, then don’t. It won’t get younywhere.’



34 +

$he flashed hi a glance, #ut on notingis e@pression decided to tae his advice.o she stood still while the ointent was

pplied, first to one ar and then the oth-r. It was cool and soothing, #ut it was theouch of Brand’s fingers which had thereatest effect on her. It was lie an electric

hoc, spreading lie lightning through herwhole #ody. $he quivered, angry with her-elf for #eing so profoundly conscious of he touch of this an’s hand on her #arelesh. But she had no control over her reac-

ion and, #oth to her own surprise and his,he siled when, on having finished hisas, Brand looed down into her face as hei@ed the cap #ac into place. &is eyes

licered strangely and a softness enteredheir depths.

EIt’s so nice to see you sile, Teri,’ heurured in gentle tones. EHou very sel-

o do, you now.’ &e continued to watcher she stiffened at his words #ecause they



345 +

were spoen alost caressingly, and heent his head at the sae tie ... Dust as if e had half decided to iss her. EI’ll send a

essage over to Jarunda, Dust to let Garunow where you are. Gon and Fendy weresleep, you said%’ and when Teri nodded,

Then all . that’s necessary is that Garu

hould now you’re here - in case you’rewanted.’

EThan you.’ $he watched hi cross theoo, carrying the edicine #o@. $o

aDestic he seeed, with those #road ar-

ogant shoulders and the swinging light-ess of his strides. Teri’s feelings were

i@ed as she sat there waiting for his re-urn. ;n the one hand she e@perienced a

ort of pleasura#le anticipation at the ideaf sharing a eal with Brand, #ut on thether hand there was a wariness soe-

where deep in her su#-conscious whicheeed to warn that it would #e safer to gooe, away fro this an #y whose



34: +

ersonality she was affected, quite againster will.

EFe’re going to drop all hostility while

we eat,’ Brand was saying as they sat downt the ta#le. EFe’ve fought enough for oneay, don’t you agree%’ &is tones were edged

with #anter, his eyes twinling. Teri re-

ponded to his ood and fro then on theeal was eaten to the accopanient of

ght conversation and even laughter.Brand was certainly intent on aing heroforta#le and at hoe his sall atten-

ions were received graciously yet with hid-en surprise #y Teri, who had never ia-ined Brand to #e possessed of such con-idera#le char of anner, which was un-

erstanda#le, she supposed, seeing that head #een downright rude to her on so

any occasions.EI was really hungry,’ she aditted later

s they sat in the lounge drining coffee. EIadn’t had very uch.’



344 +

EI could see that.’ Brand paused andiled. EToo worried a#out the outcoe of ur quarrel,’ he couldn’t help saying, and

Teri went red.EI’d feel awful if you stopped #eing Gon’s

riend,’ she aditted at length. E&e reliesn you so uch.’

Brand leant #ac in his chair.EGon’s doing very well. This tie ne@t

ear he’ll #e standing on his own feet anaging without y help.’ Brand spoe

s if the far #elonged solely to Gon, #utTeri too no e@ception to this. The evening

ad #een so pleasant that she had no desireo say anything which would result in a re-uption of the hostility which so often e@-

sted #etween the.Brand insisted on taing her #ac in his

ar, saying one of his en could drive thetation wagon over the following orning.on was awae and Brand stayed a little

while, chatting with hi. Gon’s eyes



877

licered strangely when he learned thatTeri had dined with Brand, #ut naturally heade no coent.

E&e’ll #e all right now.’ Brand assuredTeri as she went out with hi to the car.Gon’s hard and tough, and although he’sad a nasty #out there’ll not #e any after-

ffects.’ &e stood for a oent #eside Teri,n the still silence of an African night. !ro#ove, the outsie oon spilled its etallicrilliance over the Jarunda hoestead and

ts gardens and lands #eyond the air wasaly with the scent of flowers and theu#tle tang of the drowsy #ushveld whichpread darly towards the distant risingoothills. 2agic pervaded the whole ato-

phere, intense, alive. >aught in its spell,Teri #ecae ore aware of her copanionhan ever for one astounding oent hend she seeed to #e the only two people@isting on the whole of this vast continent.



873 +

EI wonder,’ said Brand in casual tones,what you would do were I to iss you.’

$he #lined, then stared.

EHou wouldn’t dare*’EIs that a challenge%’ he inquired softly.E6o, of course it isn’t *’EFise girl. I’ only too ready to accept a

hallenge - especially fro a girl as attract-ve as you.’

EThat sounds as if you’ve accepted any challenge *’

&e said nothing, erely quiring hisp, and his hael eyes laughed even thoughhey held hers, inescapa#ly. $he felt spell-ound under this copelling gae and even

when Brand oved closer she reained

[email protected] shall have to iss you,’ he decided,

nd only then did Teri escape fro thepell ... #ut not quicly enough, for even ashe too a #acward step Brand had caught



878

er wrist and she found herself #eingrawn into his e#race.

E$top it*’ The rest was sothered as

is lips found hers.E0elightful,’ he o#served on holding her

way fro hi and laughing at her out-aged e@pression. EI’ve #een wanting to do

hat for soe tie.’E&ow dare you*’ $he was close to tears

ecause his action seeed to have spoiledhe whole lovely evening. EI thought you

were a gentlean.’

E0on’t #e trite.’ &e looed pained for annstant, #ut then he siled, alost ten-erly. EIt appears that I’ve offended you’

EThat’s putting it ildly *’

EAnd I suppose I should apologie,’ heontinued, ignoring the interruption. EBut Iannot with sincerity #ecause, at the firstpportunity, I shall do it again.’ $o cool he

was, and enveloped in a cloa of supreeonfidence. 1lainly he #elieved he could



87+

iss her Dust whenever he felt lie doing so.Teri was speechless #oth with anger and

aeent at his audacity, and she ade

o reply when he #ade her a cheerful goodight and slid into his car. It crunchedlong the gravel, headlights flaring, picingut the trees growing along the $au#u

)iver. Teri stood on the stoep, watching itwind along the road, saw it turn intoBrand’s long drive, and she went inside

nly when the headlights were e@tin-uished and the car could no longer #e

een.Brand )oyce ust #e avoided fro now

n, she decided firly. &e was #ecoingar too authoritative, #ut in addition she

erself had changed in soe indefina#leway so that she found difficulty in ignoringBrand’s copelling personality he was toontensely asculine, too dangerous #y far.

!ro her own new awareness could springsituation in which she would again find



879

erself vulnera#le to hurt. This would notappen, though, #ecause she intended that

ro now on Brand would #e ept at a safe

istance.



>&A1T/) $IQ

T was half past si@ and the sun appeared

#ove the dar ri of the earth. Teri looedro her #edroo window as the iracleegan to unfold #efore her eyes. Brilliantold followed fiery red, #ursting across theeavens and diffusing its glory over theardens and the river and the trees #order-ng its #ans. 0ull pal fronds flared to#er and the cannas to orange-roseetals fluttered down, #orne on a gentle

ephyr, while in the trees theselves #irds



87

lashed their coloured pluage as they flew ro #ranch to #ranch. The #ush- veldprang to life, vi#rant and siling, and

igh a#ove saffron-tinted cirrus cloudsung otionless in the sy.

Teri had #ecoe used to the gloriousunrises during the si@ onths she had

ved at Jarunda, #ut they still held herpell#ound and she felt they always would.

Turning away fro the window at last, shewashed her face and hands in the #owlwhich she ept on a stand ill the coer, for

on always occupied the #athroo firsthing in the orning. $he co#ed her hair,egarding herself in the irror as she dido. The hollows in her chees had filled up,

er eyes were #righter and her lips wereull and soft, Dust as they used to #e #eforehe tenseness within her caused the toecoe drawn and tight. $trange how theast could fade lie this, uch ore swiftly han she would ever have iagined it could



875 +

o. The new life had copletely overshad-wed it, filled as it was with interest androviding the self-satisfaction and su#lie

ontentent that achieveent alwaysrings. Gon too seeed to have recoveredro the #low he laughed often, and forhe last onth or so Teri had never once

oticed the #itterness which earlier had soften entered his eyes. &e and Teri hadoined the clu# in ;asville and they oftenined and danced there, usually with

Brand and =inda. They also played tennis

nd on the strength of the #uper aierop and several other inor crops they

anaged to entertain, within liits andTeri had her new unit and another on or-

er. $he and =inda had stripped the it-hen walls and applied soe #right tilesnd Brand had got a couple of #oys to en-arge the window.

E>an they do it%’ Teri had ased dou#t-ully. EIt’s a silled Do#, surely%’



87:

EThese two are quite adept at doinghese sort of alterations. They #uilt y e@-ension to the itchen.’

Brand would not tae any oney forhe alteration, saying his #oys would haveeen idle had they not #een eployed at

Jarunda. Teri had not lied the idea of ac-

epting this sort of help without payentnd she had #egun to protest. But as Brandad portrayed ipatience and then opennger she had allowed the atter to drop.ince the incident of the iss she had en-

eavoured to eep hi at a safe distance,nd in the ain had succeeded. 6ow andhen, though, soe circustance would oc-ur where they found theselves alone and

nvaria#ly Brand would #ecoe failiar -nd Teri would once again find herself af-ected #y hi. Invaria#ly she was success-ul at hiding her feelings and she would no-ice soeties that his outh would



874

arden with a sort of deterinationingled with anger.

&e had never tried to iss her since that

ight, #ut Teri sensed that he had severalies #een very near to doing so. &ow

would she react% she often ased herself,onest enough to adit that her increasing

wareness of hi was, to say the least,rou#lesoe, and it did not occur to herow and then that, had she never et

Jep, and suffered the consequent disillu-ionent, she ight have responded very

ifferently to Brand’s su#tle advances. 6othat she would even consider an affair withi ... #ut Teri was now alost sure thatn affair was the last thing Brand had in

ind. Fhich eant that he had #ecoeeriously interested in her, #ut that very act ade hi suspect, siply #ecause aerious interest did not necessarily ean aasting interest, as had already #een provedy Jep’s action in Dilting her. 6o, she



837 +

would never ris that again, so Brand could#andon any ideas he had a#out ainger fall in love with hi.

EAuntie Teri*’ Fendy was at the #ed-oo door and Teri #ade her enter. EI’ upnd washed and dressed* Fhat tie is

Auntie $usan coing% I can’t wait to see

Jaren and $elena - and 6eal, of course,’he added as an afterthought.

Teri siled affectionately at her, sha-ng her head a little.

EHou’ve a long while to wait, darling.

They’re not e@pected at Cncle Brand’s untilfter lunch.’

Fendy’s face twisted as if she were ingony.

EThat’s hours and hours*’EI’ afraid it is. Hou should have stayed

n #ed a little while longer.’EI couldn’t I was too e@cited. Fill they

oe and play with e right away - as soons they get here, I ean%’



833 +

EAuntie $usan will pro#a#ly want toave a little tal with Cncle Brand first, #ut

hey’ll all #e over #efore tea.’

EAunt =inda as well*’ Fendy clappeder hands. &er face had cleared and her e@-ression was now one of glowing anticipa-ion. Teri’s sile returned. There was no

ou#t a#out the #ond that had grown upetween =inda and Fendy. EFill she tae

e to >andida =odge to stay, lie she didast tie she cae%’

EIs that what you want%’

Fendy nodded.EI lie staying at Cncle Brand’s house.’

he #ecae thoughtful. ECncle Alec’s co-ng this tie, though, so there ight not #e

nough roo.’EFell, you’ll Dust have to wait and see.

>oe, pet, let’s go and ae the #reafast’Gon enthused a#out the soils of the

ewly-planted citrus fields, and as shestened Teri had to sile. Gon had not



838 +

nown one type of soil fro another #eforeoing out to Jarunda, #ut now he taledf lateritic red loas and chernoes as if

e had #een a student of pedology all hisfe.

E0o you want soe ore toast, 0addy%’Fendy held out the toast rac and he

elped hiself.EThan you, Fendy.’ Gon turned to his

ister. EAs I was saying, the soils are dar nd rich, owing to the high organic con-ent they’ll #e e@traordinarily fertile once

hey’re properly irrigated.’EFhat’s irrigated, 0addy%’EFatered, darling. I’ll have that last

iece of toast if neither of you want it.’

Fendy passed it to hi he caughtTeri’s sile and a grin #roe - a #oyish grinhe had nown so well in the old days whene was so happy with his wife.

EHou’re really enDoying yourself, aren’tou%’ Teri said, passing hi the #utter.



83+ +

&e nodded enthusiastically.EThe whole thing’s, #een a challenge.

ust iagine a couple of novices lie us

oing out here and taing on a far. &adwe #een quite sane at the tie we’d never

ven have considered it.’E6o, I suppose not - #ut we weren’t

ane, were we%’EFe are now, though.’ &e paused a o-

ent, watching her carefully. EI said thatie would heal, ree#er%’

EHes, #ut I never would have #elieved I’det over it so quicly as this.’

E6or I. It’s #een the wor - danedard wor for us #oth, #ut we’re going toucceed with this far, Teri. 2irrie won’t

now it when she coes over ne@t year - if he coes, that is.’

E$he says so in her letters. I hope shewon’t ind the changes we’ve ade.’

E6ot 2irrie she’s Dust a#out the ostnderstanding woan I now.’



839 +

E$he certainly new what was good forou and e.’

E$he had faith in us, too. And we haven’t

et her down. 0o you realie how uchwe’ve done in so short a tie%’ Teri erely

odded and Gon went on, EIt would haveeen ipossi#le, though, without Brand’s

elp. Fe’d have taen at least anotherhree or four onths to clear that #ush if

we’d ever thought of clearing it, which isost unliely #ecause we hadn’t any ideawhat to do with it.’

EAnd now we have all new #a#y trees ont,’ put in Fendy, unwilling to #e left out of he conversation any longer. EAnd they ave lovely shiny leaves. >an I have an or-

nge when they grow%’Gon and Teri laughed, #ut Fendy, her

ace quite serious, said nowledgea#ly thathe fruit would not #e all that long #efore itppeared.



83 +

ECncle Brand said so,’ she ended, inones clearly indicating that whatever

Cncle Brand said was indisputa#le.

After #reafast Gon went over to theew plantation, riding the roan gelding head recently #ought fro =arry 0aley. &ead offered to tae Fendy with hi, now-

ng Teri had to go into ;asville to do soehopping, #ut Fendy preferred to go wither aunt.

EFe go into a cafe and I have ice crea,’he told her father #y way of [email protected] Teri has coffee and soetieswe have a cae.’

E0on’t you ever get a cae at hoe%’sed Gon. EAuntie Teri is always #aing.’

EI now, #ut they taste different whenou have the in a cafe.’

Gon laughed and went off Teri got outhe station wagon and she and Fendy wentff to town. The groceries were #ought first



83 +

nd then the drins which Gon had toldTeri to get.

E>an I have a drawing #oo%’ Fendy

sed as they cae to the stationers.EHou have several at hoe,’ #egan Teri,

ut her niece interrupted her, pointing to aoo in the window.

EI lie that one it’s all a#out the Africanlowers. I’ve got plenty of crayons so I canolour the in. 1lease let e have it,

Auntie Teri.’E>ertainly you shall have it.’E;oh - good*’ Fendy was in the shop

nd at the counter #efore Teri got throughhe door. EThat lovely drawing #oo in the

window, please,’ she was saying to the

ssistant.EGust hold your horses,’ said a deep

asculine voice. EIt’s not your turn.’ECncle Brand* ;h, I never thought we’d

ee you in town. Fhat are you #uying%’



835 +

Brand turned, looing for Teri, his haelyes twinling as he o#viously recalled thatther occasion on which he and Teri had

et in the stationer’s.>olour touched her chees she wished

Brand would not loo at her lie this, orile that lop-sided sile every tie he

aw her. 0id he now how attractive itwas% she wondered.

EFhat are you #uying, Cncle Brand%’Fendy repeated, clutching his hand. EI’

uying a drawing #oo - well, you draw in

oe of it and you colour in the other part.’ll show it you in a inute when the lady ets it out of the window.’

EI have one here.’ The assistant pro-

uced an identical #oo and gave it toFendy. Brand placed the oney on theounter. A#out to ae a protest Teri saw he sudden darling glint in Brand’s eyend #it #ac the words.



83: +

EFise girl,’ he said crisply, and ased toee soe #irthday cards.

EBirthday cards%’ echoed Fendy, forget-

ing her #oo for a oent. EFhose #irth-ay is it%’

Brand laughed and ruffled her hair.EHou don’t iss anything, do you% It’s

Auntie =inda’s #irthday on $aturday.’EIs it%’ Teri spoe at last. EI’ glad we

aw you then. I’ll get her a card while I’ere.’

ELlad you saw e%’ &is #rows rose araction. E;nly for that reason%’

Teri’s colour deepened. &ow was she toeep this deterined an at a distance%

EFendy dear, you haven’t thaned

Cncle Brand for #uying you that nice #oo.’E/vasion again,’ urured Brand for

Teri’s ears alone. EHou’re #ecoing an e@-ert. >oe, help e choose a card. =astear =inda said I’d sent her a an’s card.’



834 +

EThan you very uch for #uying y oo, Cncle Brand.’ Fendy siled up ati and added, EFhy did Auntie =inda say

t was a an’s card%’EBecause it had a an on it - fishing in a

trea.’Teri had to laugh.

E$urely you new it was a an’s card%’&e shrugged and spread his hands

eprecatingly.EI #ought it for the scenery.’ &e too a

o@ of cards fro the assistant and ovedway fro the counter. EFe’re holdingveryone up. =et’s go over here out of the

way.’E>an I #uy Auntie =inda a #irthday

ard%’ Fendy ased, looing at Brand. EIaven’t any oney, though.’

EThen how are you going to #uy a #irth-ay card%’ Brand put the #o@ on a ledgend piced up one of the cards.



887

E>ould I #orrow soe fro you%’Fendy looed dou#tfully at hi. EI get y pends on $aturday so I could pay you #ac

hen.’EFendy, you don’t as for oney,’

hided Teri, though in gentle tones. EHounow that it’s very wrong, don’t you%’

The child nodded and #ent her head,ecoing a#sor#ed in her #oo.

E&ow very nicely you’re #ringing herp,’ coented Brand. E$oe lucy chil-ren are one day going to get theselves a

ood other.’ Ignoring that, Teri sortedhrough the #o@ of cards #efore picing oneut. E&ow frigidly reserved you are*’

Brand’s head was #ent so that his lips were

lose to Teri’s ear. EFhy the devil don’t youn#end and say what’s in your ind%’

EThen I will.’ $he appeared to #e a#-or#ed in the words inside the card. EHouay the ost ridiculous things. I’ve toldou, often, that I’ve no intention of getting



883 +

arried, so how can I have children%’ $heroe off, colour flooding her chees as heaised his #rows in a gesture of

useent.E6ow... shall I say what’s in y ind% -

r will you slap y face% 1erhaps I’ll prac-ise caution seeing that we’re in this pu#lic

lace. &ave you chosen your card%’EHes,’ she alost snapped, and Fendy

lanced up in surprise.EAre you cross with Cncle Brand%’ she

sed, frowning.

E$he’s always cross with e, Fendy.oe day she won’t #e though, and I’ll puthe flag out.’

Fendy tried to understand this #ut

ailed, and she #egan turning the pages of er #oo.

E>oe, darling, choose a card for Auntie=inda.’

E;h, are you lending e the oney%’



888 +

EI’ giving it to you.’ Teri looed atBrand. E>an I let her have the #o@ - or

aven’t you chosen yet%’

EThis one will do. Hes, give her the #o@.’EThis one*’ Fendy was alost dancing

with e@citeent. EAuntie =inda will love it,ecause she lies Buster, and this dog’s e@-

ctly lie y Buster*’EI can’t say I adire your choice of

ae for the dog,’ reared Brand as they ll went #ac to the counter. EFhat adeou choose Buster%’

EBecause he eats and eats until he nearly u’

EFendy,’ laughed Teri, Eyou don’t say words lie that*’

Fendy erely twinled up at Brand,whose eyes were laughing at her.

EAre you coing to the cafe with us%’he inquired presently as they left the shop.’ having ice crea, and you can have icerea if you want - or you can have coffee.’



88+ +

EI’ll have coffee.’ &is glance strayed toTeri. E6o frown%’ he quied. EIt would al-ost see that you welcoed y

opany.’$he pursed her lips, sending hi a

peaing glance. Brand sent her an o#liqueile and casually reared that one of

hese days she would change her opinion of i. $he gave a slight start and said,

E&ow do you now what sort of opinionhave of you%’

EI now your opinion of en in general,nd as yet I’ no different fro the rest.’

As yet ... Fhat e@actly did that ean%&e could toss any hopes he ight cherisho the winds, she felt lie telling hi, #ut

he refrained and they proceeded in silenceowards the cafe, where they were servednder the trees. Birds flitted a#out aonghe #ranches, their pluage iridescent inhe #rassy sunshine another #ird vi#ratedast their ta#le with an e@otic flash of red



889 +

nd #lue wings. Along the edge of thearden two #oys anipulated pangas withong silful sweeps, attacing the weeds

hat had sprung up after the intense thun-erstor rain which had fallen a few nightsreviously, and away in the distance theurnt-sienna hills quivered in the rising

eat hae. Teri sighed unconsciously andBrand turned his head.

E$ounds lie contentent,’ he coen-ed quiically.

EIt is,’ Teri responded, a sile hovering

n her lipsR EFe owe a lot to 2irrie.’E!or the far - or forgetfulness%’ Brand

eant #ac in his chair, his eyes on Teri’sace. $oft colour ingled with the golden

an of her sin her eyes were lipid, andlue as the sy, her short fair hair flicedac fro her wide forehead in delightfultde half curls.

EBoth,’ she aditted, surprising hi.



88 +

E$o you really have forgotten the hurt%’&e regarded her steadily, seeing alosto #e holding his #reath, as if soething of

ital iportance hinged on her reply. !ully oprehending, she said truthfully,

EI haven’t forgotten, #ut the pain hasulled.’ $trangely, she e@perienced no re-

entent at his allusion to Jep and theurt he had inflicted on her.

E&ave you had a pain, Auntie Teri%’ in-ervened Fendy an@iously.

EIt’s gone now, darling. &urry up with

our ice crea we’ve lots ore shoppingo do.’

Fendy’s eyes gleaed. $he piced uper spoon and delved into the half-elted

onfection.EBecause all our relations are coing,

sn’t it%’ $he looed across at Brand. EHoulways have to #uy lots of things to eat

when you have visitors, don’t you% 2uy lways did - she used to have two #ig



88 +

asets full. I don’t thin she’ll ever coeac off her holiday.’ This last was added

echanically, Fendy’s attention #eing

with her ice crea. Brand glanced at Terind said, very softly,

E$urely it would have #een #etter to teller the truth, Hou’ll have to eventually.’

Teri’s thic lashes cae down, screen-ng her e@pression.

EIt was Gon’s decision,’ she urured,nce again wishing she was not forced toeceive Brand.

&e shrugged, and changed the su#Dectecause Fendy was suddenly all attention.

!ive inutes later they parted copany nd Teri carried on with her shopping.

EFe ust get a present for Auntie=inda,’ she said on entering the cheists.A #ottle of perfue, I thin.’

E>an I #uy her soething as well% $oeeautiful scented soap and #ath salts lie Ised to #uy for 2uy.’



885 +

Teri nodded and let Fendy choose whathe wanted. $he wished the child would notpea of her other - which was all wrong,

Teri aditted, and yet she felt that theooner Fendy forgot all a#out )osalind theetter it would #e for everyone concerned.

At present #oth Brand and his sister had

rawn their own conclusions a#out theholiday’, #elieving Gon had deli#erately hired the unpleasant tas of ipartinghe truth to his daughter, #ut Teri did won-er if Fendy would one day say soething

which would set off a spar of suspicion - ateast in Brand’s ind, for he was ore thanrdinarily astute.

$o persistent was this atter that she

ust had to ention it to Gon when, afterunch, she found herself alone with hi,

Fendy having gone to tae Buster for awal.

Gon nodded and frowned when Teritopped speaing.



88:

EI realie what’s happening #ecause=inda did once say it would have #een #et-er to tell Fendy the truth.’

&is frown deepened. EHou don’t tellour child her other’s dead when shesn’t, so what do you tell her% that her

other’s gone off and left her for good%’

Teri winced on hearing the #itternessreep #ac into her #rother’s voice. 0id hetill love )osalind% ;nly a few hours earliere had #een in the highest of spirits, tal-

ng as though his ind were well on the

way to #eing healed.EI can’t help feeling that the truth will

oe out, and then we’re #oth going to feelorri#ly guilty and e#arrassed.’

EI agree - and don’t thin I’ notrou#led #y it’ &e #roe off, spreading hisands. EThere’s nothing I can do now,hough.’

Teri had to adit that there was no way f rectifying the position and she disissed



884 +

he atter fro her ind as she went tohe itchen to help Garu with the dirty ishes, after which she and he spent a

ouple of hours preparing for their visitors,who would in all pro#a#ility stay to tea.

The party arrived without Brand, andlthough Alec was lively and the children

oisy and e@u#erant there was a noticea#leap, and with a shoc of surprise Teri real-ed that she herself felt a pronounced voids the afternoon wore on. Brand ightoe over later, =inda had said, #ut he was

ot sure. &e had a visitor - a #usiness asso-iate - and it depended on how quicly theusiness was copleted.

EIf the an goes a#out four or half past

Brand will coe over,’ =inda had said, E#utf he stays any later than that then Brand

will have to give hi soe tea.’ Teri founderself repeatedly glancing at the cloc andt twenty to five she new Brand was notoing. A flatness fell upon her as she



8+7

elped Garu with the tea ta#le. /verythinglse was ready and #y five o’cloc they werell seated round the ta#le. Fhen the eal

was finished Alec and $usan and their fa-y went off, #ac to >andida =odge, #ut

=inda stayed on, and when Teri went up-tairs to her roo she saw her and Gon

trolling off towards a little ar#our seat setong spreading acacias, and with hugeougainvilleas spilling over a #a#oo trel-s. They disappeared and a frown crossed

Teri’s #row. ;f late, =inda had seeed to

eep Gon at a distance, Dust as Teri had eptBrand at a distance - or tried to. But today =inda had #een far less reserved with Gon

. and now they had #oth gone off lie

hat....There was nothing in it, Teri iedi-

tely told herself. =inda ight have soeffection for Gon, #ut he would not co-licate his life #y allowing hiself to fall in

ove with =inda. And yet even as she tried



8+3 +

o reassure herself Teri was wondering why hey should have gone off lie that, into soecluded and intiate a place.

EAuntie Teri*’ Fendy had gone with thethers as far as the #ridge, taing Buster

with her she had run all the way #ac andwas alost #reathless. EFhere’s Auntie

=inda% I want her to play with e.’E$he’s gone for a wal with 0addy.

They’ll #e #ac in a few inutes, I e@pect.’he hoped, Teri thought, glancing in theirection of the ar#our.

EFhich way did they go% I’ll catch thep.’

EI don’t now, Fendy,’ Teri lied. EHou’detter wait here with e until they return.’

EAll right. Fill you read to e% Fe’ll sitn the stoep so we can see the coingac.’

Teri had #een reading for over half anour when she saw the couple coing



8+8 +

cross the garden there was a careless air#out the which in itself was revealing.

E0id you have a nice wal%’ Fendy

iled at the in turn. EHou’ve #een a longie. I wanted Auntie =inda to play with

e, #ut Auntie. Teri read to e instead andt was nice. It’s a fairy tale a#out a princess

n a castle and a prince who falls in lovewith her. I wish a prince would fall in lovewith e.’

E2y, #ut you’re starting early*’ =indaaughed at Fendy, #ut her eyes sought

hose of Gon. $he was flushed and therewas a glow a#out her which caused Teri’s

eart to Der. &ow far had this affairrogressed%

EI really ust go,’ =inda was saying ahort while later, and added, E6ot that I

want to, #ut Brand will #e ad with e if Itay here for dinner.’



8++ +

EFhy%’ ased Gon. EHou can stay #y alleans. I can send one of the #oys over with

essage’

E6o. Thans all the sae, Gon, #ut Iustn’t. Brand lies us all to #e togetheror dinner. &e’s an odd #od, as you now.’he gave a griace and glanced at Teri.

$tuffy old #achelor, as I once said, and heas these peculiar little whis.’

Teri wondered if her #rother wouldonfide in her when =inda had gone, #ut he

went along to the little roo which they

ad set aside as his study and there he re-ained until dinner tie. They never

ined until nine when they were alone andFendy was in #ed. Gon was strangely quiet

uring the eal and several ties Teri hadpened her outh to say soething a#outi and =inda, #ut each tie she had

aced the cour-age. And in the end she de-ided that as it was not any #usiness of hershe had no right to #roach a su#Dect which



8+9 +

would assuredly e#arrass her #rother.&owever, Dust #efore they were ready for

ed Gon said, in a rather husy voice,

EI suppose you’ve #een wondering why =inda and I went off lie that%’

Teri felt suddenly shy, which was an al-ogether new e@perience #ecause she and

on had always #een close.EI did wonder, yes.’EI suddenly had an urge to tell her the

ruth a#out )osalind. I ept thining a#outur conversation, earlier, when you saidhe truth ust coe out soe tie and

we’d #oth feel horri#ly guilty and e#ar-assed. $o I ased her to go over there with

e.’

Teri looed puled.EHou didn’t tell her, though.’ $he new

e hadn’t, #ecause of =inda’s [email protected] could scarcely wear that glowing loo ad she Dust discovered that Gon’s wife wasery uch alive.



8+ +

EI shired it in the end.’ &e stopped andTeri saw the little grey lines running downhe sides of his outh. EI suppose you’ve

uessed%’Teri’s nerves fluttered.EHou’re in love with =inda%’&e nodded.

EFe’ve #oth #een fighting it for severalwees now.’

E$o that’s why =inda seeed to #e eep-ng you at a distance%’ Teri spoe autoat-cally, erely voicing her thoughts.

EHou noticed%’EI’ve felt for soe tie that she was #e-

inning to care for you, #ut I didn’t thin ou were #eginning to care for her.’ $he

hoo her head. EGon, what are you going too%’

E0ivorce )osalind.’EBut =inda still #elieves you’re a

widower.’



8+ +

The grey lines on Gon’s face #ecaeore pronounced.

EHes, she still #elieves that.’

EThen she ust #e thining you’ve gotver it rather quicly%’

EFe’ve never entioned love, Teri. Allwe did over there was tal - a#out all sorts

f things. I felt that =inda was puled, #e-ause I’d ased her to coe with e as I

wished to tell her soething, #ut she didn’tay anything when I steered the conversa-ion into casual lines. Fe #oth now weare, #ut we’ve never taled a#out it that’secause of )osalind. Fhile =inda #elieves a widower, and that I’ve lost y wife soecently, I can’t ention love, nor can she

eveal her feelings or #e in any way deon-trative towards e. It’s a purely spiritualhing - hidden yet o#vious, alive #utuppressed.’

A sall thoughtful silence fell #etweenhe, Teri thining, strangely enough, of



8+5 +

Brand, and wondering what his opinion of er would #e when he learned of the decep-ion. And how would he tae to the idea of

=inda arrying a divorcee with a child% &ead a deep and genuine regard for Gon, it

was true, #ut whether or not he would ap-rove of hi as a hus#and for =inda was

nother atter altogether.EIt sees to e that the sooner you

ae a clean #reast of things the #etter.Hou can’t let =inda go on #elieving you to

e a widower.’

EI should have told her this afternoon’on #roe off, heaving a deep sigh. EI wisho heaven I’d #een open a#out it in the firstlace*’

$he siled faintly.EHou weren’t to now you’d fall in love

with =inda.’&e considered this for a oent.EIt sees quite ipossi#le that I could

ave done so. Fhen I first lost )osalind I



8+:

ruly #elieved I’d go on loving her until theay I died.’

EI didn’t feel quite lie that a#out

Jep,’ Teri used, her #row creased inhought. EI was hurt, terri#ly, #ut after attle while I did coe to adit the wisdof !ather’s assertion that I had really lost

othing - nothing worth having, that was.And I was always aware that y case was

y no eans as #ad as yours. I suppose theuiliation of #eing Dilted was what hurt

ost.’

EFhat do you thin of =inda - for aister-in-law, I ean%’ Gon ased, changinghe su#Dect.

EI new right fro the first that she

would ae you a good wife, and she ad-res Fendy.’

E$o you wouldn’t ind in the least%’EI’ glad for you, Gon,’ #ut Teri Dust had

o add, EIt’s not going to #e siple - and



8+4 +

ou’ll #e a long while #efore you can arry =inda.’

EI now,’ Gon frowned heavily. E$he, on

he other hand, #elieves it’s only a atterf waiting for a decent length of tie.’

E$he’s a#solutely sure that you want toarry her%’

Gon siled faintly, his eyes reflective.E$he nows - even though I’ve never

aid a word. =inda nows how I feel Dust asnow how she feels. Fords are not neces-ary to convey love.’

Teri used for a space on her own posi-ion when =inda oved into the house.

They would agree, though, Teri was sure.n any case, it would #e a long while #efore

he arriage could tae place, as she hadust entioned to her #rother.

EI wonder how Brand will tae it.’ Teriooed an@iously at Gon, #ut he was co-letely unpertur#ed.



897

E&e’ll not ind at all so long as =inda’sappy.’

EFhen are you going to tell =inda the

ruth%’EAt the first opportunity,’ replied Gon

with decision. EIt’s a distasteful tas #ut annevita#le one, so the sooner I get it over

nd done with the #etter.’ &e siled at hisister, serene now that he had ade his de-ision. =ittle did he now that it would note fro hi that =inda would learn theruth, #ut fro soeone quite different

ltogether.



>&A1T/) $/M/6

B)A60 and his faily were dining at the

2ango >lu# and he ased Gon and Ten tooin the party, which consisted only of hisaily and the 0aleys.

EI’ not one for #irthday parties,’ he ad-itted, #ut went on to add that as long ashe whole faily were at >andida =odgehey ight as well ae an occasion of

=inda’s #irthday.They dined on a pal-shaded verandah

t #y coloured laps, #ut danced inside.



898

E0id you iss e the other day%’ hesed with a sort of sardonic auseent,nd for soe reason Teri felt convinced he

ould have coe over to Jarunda had hewished. 0id this ean that he had deli#er-

tely stayed away in order that she would@perience soe feeling of loss at his a#-

ence% $he wondered what he would say were she to #e honest with hi and say

utright that she had felt inordinately flatwhen at last she realied he was not goingo put in an appearance.

EFhy should I iss you%’ she prevaric-ted, and this naturally #rought forth thatrooed sile.

E;ne of these days, Teri, you’re going to

urprise yourself - and e - #y #eingonest.’

At this she fell out of step and he drew er to hi - quite unnecessarily, shehought, #ut at the sae tie she new atrange thrill at this close pro@iity and to



89+

er own surprise she ade no attept toraw away. &is head cae down so that hishee alost touched hers his outh was

lose to her ear.EHou’re as light as a feather,’ he ur-

ured, his voice coa@ing yet vi#rant, teas-ng yet grave in soe way that seeed to

old a hidden significance and Teri’serves fluttered and her heart#eatsuicened. $he felt that, had he issed her,he would have reacted far differently frohe way she acted on the previous occasion.

t’s too hot in here,’ he was saying. E$hallwe go outside%’

E;n to the verandah% Hes, of course, if ou want to.’

&e laughed, uch to her surprise andaid,

E6o, y dear, not on the verandah. Thearden offers privacy and #aly air and

oonlight - Dust the setting for a an and aaid.’



899

E0on’t #e silly*’E)ela@ - un#end.’ Brand led her to an

pen french window and, holding her hand

irly, pulled her out after hi. EI’ll aeou shed that ridiculous arour if only #y ringing that strong hand into play. Thathould awaen soe sort of eotion in

ou.’EIt would,’ she flashed with spirit. EHou’d

earn a little a#out y teper*’EThat would #e interesting,’ he laughed

s, still holding on to her hand, he led herway fro the lights, stopping only oneaching the shadows cast #y a little grovef ango trees. Before Teri could evenhin of trying to escape she was in his

rs, helpless as he #ent his head andissed her full on the outh. &er heartaced uncontrolla#ly, her whole nervousyste affected #y the warth and ardourf his iss and the feel of his slenderinewed #ody very close to hers. E=ord,



89 +

ou’re a tantaliing little wretch* &ave youopletely forgotten that fool who was stu-id enough to lose you%’

$he #ecae tensed should she answern the affirative she felt sure that Brand

would then drop all restraint, taing suchn adission as a sign that she was ready

or another affair. Fell, she was not ready,nd never would #e. 1erhaps Brand wasuite serious, wanting to arry her, #ut al-hough Teri felt she could very soon #egino care for hi should she drop her ar-

our as he had told her to she was quiteeterined to avoid putting herself into aosition where she could #e hurt. ;f ourse, Brand ight #e sincere, feeling he

eally wanted her for his wife, #ut so wasJep sincere, never dreaing, on #eco-ng engaged to her, that the day would everawn when he found hiself preferringoeone else.



89

EFhat are you thining a#out%’ Brand’soft caressing tones #roe into her reveriend she looed at hi in the isted purple

ght given off #y the stars and a oonartly hidden #y cloud.

E2y thoughts are private,’ she repliedwith forced coldness, and received a little

hae for her trou#le.E$top it, Teri% 0on’t even y isses

haw you%’EI’ not sure what you ean’E0on’t lie*’ &e sounded e@asperated, she

hought, and yet his hands were gentle oner ars. E=et’s wal,’ he said after a pause,nd drew her ar through his.

As he had said, the air was #aly, and

oft as velvet. The oon, appearing froehind the lacy wisps of cirrus cloud,rought changing shapes and colour to therees and flowers and even to the low ra-ling #uilding of the 2ango >lu# itself.

>icadas in the trees pulsed through the



895 +

ilence and in the far distance the rollingills and opDes slu#ered under the starlitoe of an African sy.

Teri felt as if she were a illion ilesro civiliation and fro all huanity @cept Brand, whose hand enclosed hers infir and distinctly possessive clasp.

E&adn’t we #etter go #ac%’ Teri sugges-ed as the distance #etween the and theghts fro the clu# lengthened. EThe oth-rs will #e - #e . . .’ $he tailed off, not quiteure what she had intended saying. Fith

wift irony Brand filled in.EThining things% They wouldn’t if they

new what an ice#erg you are* All right, if hat’s what you prefer - we’ll go #ac.’

$he #it her lip as in a oent of revela-ion she aditted to herself that she hadot the least desire to go #ac. And now he owned that this was the crucial o-

ent when she could overstep the point of o return. &ow easy it would #e to tell



89:

Brand that she would lie to stay out herewith hi, in the intiacy of this tropical

aradise how easy to flirt and entice and

hen respond to his loveaing ... and how leasant. !lushing at her thoughts, Teri

was profoundly thanful for the shadowswhich prevented her e@pression and her

eightened colour #eing interpreted #y theharply perceptive eyes of her copanion.

They waled #ac in silence. 6o at-ept this tie to hold Teri’s hand. In fact

Brand deli#erately put a distance #etween

he she felt he was #affled and ill- hu-oured and a sudden deDection fell upon

er. $he issed the copanionship, the in-iacy and the strength of his hand which

ad #een oddly coforting.They had only Dust Doined the others

when a young couple, a#out to pass theira#le, stopped and greeted Brand. Theirather owned a far soe five iles northf ;asville, $usan told Teri a few inutes



894

ater when, after having ade the introduc-ions, Brand went off to dance with 0oreennd her #rother with Goan 0aley. Gon was

ancing with =inda - had #een for ost of he evening - #ut no one appeared to noticenything strange a#out that or if they didhey tactfully refrained fro coenting

n it.E0oreen’s always lied Brand,’ $usan

was saying, her eyes following the couple ashey passed fro the verandah into theallroo. EFe did thin at one tie that

hey’d ae a go of it, #ut I’ afraid shewas a little too eager. Brand has the ost

eculiar notions he possesses the priitivenstinct for hunting - if you now what I

ean%’ $usan added, laughing. Teri nod-ed, reflecting on what =inda had already aid on the su#Dect. Any woan who ranfter hi had lost hi right fro the start,

=inda had asserted, and added that as nowoan could run away fro hi he was



87

lost sure to reain a #achelor. Teri’susings turned in on herself, and her atti-ude towards Brand. $he had certainly run

way fro hi ... so perhaps that was theeason why he was interested in her. &e

was piqued, pro#a#ly, and had decided toring her to the level of the rest. Fell, she

hought with satisfaction, he had failed, ut-erly, so perhaps he would now a#andonhe idea and retreat while he could still doo with soe degree of grace.

The ne@t instant she was #eing tantali-

ngly distur#ed #y the conviction that head retreated, finally, out there in thearden. &e would not trou#le her again hisnterest was dead, illed #y her own entire

ac of reciprocation. &er eyes sought hind his partner through the wide openingeading off the verandah. They #ecaeraed in it after a while, and reainedhere, scarcely oving as they taled,

Brand’s head #ent and his eyes looing into



83 +

hose of his partner. Teri oistened herps, a sining feeling in the pit of her sto-ch. $urely she wasn’t Dealous of that girl*

he had never #een Dealous of anyone inhe whole of her life*

As if sensing her interest Brand glancedver the top of 0oreen’s head and for an in-

tant their eyes et. Ipelled #y soe de-anding wish for his attention, Teri en-

eavoured to hold his glance, #ut with awift reDection of this alost ipercepti#leverture Brand swung his partner round

nd they were lost to sight until, five or teninutes later, they strolled on to the ver-

ndah, #oth laughing at soe Doe nownnly to theselves.

0oreen and her #rother went over tohe ta#le which they had ordered and

where two of their friends were already eated.

E6ice girl,’ Gon casually reared, andBrand nodded in agreeent.



88 +

E2aes pleasant copany always did.!riendly sort no assued off-handedness

#out her.’ A flicer of his eyes in Teri’s dir-

ction she coloured slightly #ecause thewords were quite plainly aied at her. EI’venvited her and her #rother to play tennise@t wee, so you’ll #e eeting the

gain.’EHou did right,’ approved Alec, adding,

0oreen’s rather fond of you, everyonenows that, and you haven’t #een over soci-#le towards her. Hou’ll never find a girl

ore willing to give way to your every whi, nor one half so pretty.’

Teri looed at her hands, feeling oreore flat than ever.

E6o, I suppose not,’ fro Brand in tonesuddenly edged with enthusias. E1erhapsshould #e a little ore agreea#le towardser.’



8+ +

Brand danced with Teri Dust #efore they eft the clu#, and to her consternation he

entioned Gon and =inda.

EA I iagining things or is soethingappening #etween those two%’ &is eyes

were on the Gon was holding =inda closend they #oth appeared co-pletely o#livi-

us of everyone and everything aroundhe.

E0o you - do you ean are they fall-ng in love%’ staered Teri, and Brand al-

ost stopped, looing down at her, his eyes

arrowing with sudden perception.E;utside again, where we can tal*’ And

without ore ado he had her once again inhe garden. A seat was handy and they sat

own.EHou now soething. ;ut with it,’ he

rdered curtly.EI’ not in a position to spea,’ she re-

urned in a pleading tone. EGon did say thathey - cared for one another, #ut he also



89 +

aid that they had never entioned it toach other. $o you see, I can’t tell younything.’

&e was frowning heavily she saw thisn the light thrown off fro the laps onhe verandah.

EGon’s wife hasn’t #een dead ore than

few onths,’ he said alost harshly.&ow can he #e in love with soeone else%’

EHou thin it’s awful’EI thin it’s disgraceful - and thoroughly

ndecent* =inda shall hear fro e’EBrand,’ interrupted Teri urgently, al-

ost tepted to #lurt out the truth, #utfraid to do so #ecause Gon had not givener leave, Ethere’s uch you don’t under-

tand, so please don’t for any Dudgentsntil it’s all ade clear.’

&e turned his head, arrested #y the ur-ency and pleading in her voice.

E&ow can there #e uch I don’t under-tand% Gon’s wife has recently died and



8 +

lready he’s in love with =inda’ &e #roeff and the frown darened his #row again.

&ow forida#le he looed, Teri thought, a

iny #all of fear gathering in her throat.hould he deand a full e@planation sheid not thin she could hold out againsti. EIt doesn’t ae sense,’ continued

Brand, #affled and ipatient. EHou’d #etter@plain.’

But Teri shoo her head.EI can’t - please let it drop for the tie

eing. =inda doesn’t now that Gon con-ided in e, so you can’t spea to her.’ I-ulsively she turned to hi and her handae to rest on his ar. E1roise e,

Brand proise e you’ll not say any-

hing until you now the whole truth.’&e looed into her eyes, his own e@-

ression thoughtful and concentrating.EI sensed a ystery right at the start,’ he

urured to hiself. And then, right outf the #lue, EGon’s wife isn’t dead, is she%’



8 +

Teri’s heart turned right over and herand, still resting on Brand’s ar,re#led so violently that he could not help

ut notice. &e covered it with his own, and#sently drew his thu# over the slender

wrist a#ove it.E6o, Brand,’ Teri whispered at last.

)osalind isn’t dead. $he waled out onon.’

$ilence, profound and intense. A deepigh issued fro Brand’s lips.

E$o that was why Gon told Fendy herother was on holiday.’ Brand shoo his

ead. EI soehow felt that, were his wifeead, he would never fo# the child off withtale lie that. Fhy didn’t the truth strie

e #efore now%’ &e scanned Teri’s facend she averted her head, ashaed now hat he had learned of her deceit.

'I' sorry, Brand - that I yself isledou, I ean.’



85 +

EIt wasn’t your fault. 6or do I #lae Gonltogether. I’d feel the sae if y wife

waled out on e I’d pro#a#ly say I was

widowed, Dust as he did.’'A an feels - sort of inferior and and

nadequate, I suppose.’Brand nodded in agreeent.

'Fhat’s going to happen now%'$he hesitated, #ut saw no reason for

olding #ac at this stage.'Gon says he intends divorcing his wife.’Brand frowned heavily on hearing this.EIs there no hope of a reconciliation%’EI don’t thin so.’ $he spoe so quietly

hat he had to strain to catch the words.E$he went off with another an%’

Another hesitation and then, husily,E$he and y fiancK went off together.EHour’ &e stared, and the grip on her

and tightened so that Teri winced. E2y Lod, how dana#le*’



8:

EIt was pretty gri at the tie,’ she ad-itted. EFe were #oth nearly out of ourinds. I was worse than Gon, and yet his

low was the greater #ecause he was ar-ied, with a child.’ Brand seeed una#le topea and Teri added, her voice suddenly dged with tears, EI suppose a an can hide

is feelings #etter than a woan, #ut Ised to feel so guilty - leaning on Gon. &e -e was wonderful, Brand, you’ve no idea.’

EI thin I have, Teri.’ Brand caught hero hi, #ut ade no attept to iss her.

&is e#race was eant to cofort and tolustrate his understanding of her deepurt. The tears that priced her eyes re-eded she felt safe and at peace, leaning

gainst Brand’s coat and hearing the gentlehud of his heart#eats against her face. EIan also understand your aversion - yes,

uch ore clearly now.’ &e leant away andooed into her eyes. EAll en aren’t the



84 +

ae, Teri. Hou ust get that idea out of our head. 1roise e you’ll try%’

$he nodded and found a resting place

or her head again.EI will try,' she whispered, and felt his

ps against her hair. EFe’ll have to go,Brand,’ she said after a while, shy all at

nce #ecause of the intiacy of the situ-tion and the revelations she had ade.

EHes, we ust go. I’ll eep this to y-elf,’ he added, anticipating her request.

EI suppose you don’t agree with di-

orce%’ she said a oent later as they waled the short distance towards the clu#.

E6o, quite honestly, I don’t. ;n the oth-r hand I ust adit that I have no idea

what I’d feel lie were I in your #rother’sosition. Also, I’ very devoted to =inda,s you ust already now, and I hate thedea of her #eing unhappy. It sees to e,’e went on after a sall thoughtful pause,hat divorce is the only sensi#le thing to do



87

n these circustances, for I e@pect this)osalind and Jep also want to arry.’

EHes, they do, #ut Gon was not sure at

he tie whether he would give her herreedo.’ &ow strange that she should #eiscussing Jep lie this, so dis-passion-tely, with Brand. Teri felt nothing #ut

wonderent that she could do so, and withlost coplete freedo fro pain. 'I'lad you don’t ind =inda arrying a di-orced an,’ she said, speaing herhoughts aloud. E I was so worried at first.’

&e siled faintly.E&ad it #een anyone else #ut Gon I

hould certainly have raised o#Dections.&owever, =inda is free to act as she pleases

nd I’ quite sure she would have hadone of y interference.’

'I' not so sure. =inda thins a greateal of you, and she loos up to you.’

E$he does%’ quiically. EI’ve a strong no-ion that she calls e all sorts of naes



83 +

ehind y #ac. &as she never referred toe as a stuffy old #achelor% I see she has,’

e added swiftly as Teri coloured up. E6o,

y dear, that child has no respect for ewhatsoever. I papered her, years agowhen she lost her parents within si@onths of each other. 0isastrous - paper-

ng a feale the fir hand is uch oreesira#le.’

Teri had to laugh.E6ot that again, Brand, please*'&e responded to her laugh.EI can’t frighten you, can I%’EI don’t #elieve you want to.’&e said nothing to that, #ut he seeed

ery satisfied with hiself and when the

ie cae for the all to say good night heaid cheerfully,

EAs soon as y visitors have gone I’ll #ever to see you ... and to tal.’

ETal%’



88

E;ff you go,’ he said. EGon’s waiting forou.’ &e gave her a little shove in the direc-ion of the station wagon which Gon was

ust revving up.

t was two days later that Garu cae intohe itchen where Teri was woring and

aid there was a lady to see the aster.'A lady%’ Teri’s eyes went autoatically

o the window. =inda and Fendy could #eeen in the distance. E0id she tell you herae%’

E6o, issy. $he Dust say to tell the as-er, #ut he not a#out. I leave the lady in theounge.’

EThan you, Garu. Fill you go and see if

ou can find y #rother%’EHes, issy, I do that.’ &e went off Teri

washed her hands and soothed her hair.Fho could the woan #e% she wondered.

on did not now any woen other thanhe few friends they had ade - and none



8+

f the would refuse to give Garu theirae. In any case, he new the all #y ight and ost of the #y nae.

Teri left the itchen and went along thehort passage to the lounge. $he pushedpen the door, then stared in speechlessaeent, her heart #eginning to thud vi-

lently against her ri#s.E)osalind*’ she gasped un#elievingly.

&ow what’s #rought you here%’ $hehoo her head daedly, aware of the tearsn her sister-in-law’s lashes and the pallorf her face. $he seeed older, Teri thought,nd her e@pression was alost haggard.

Jep ...%’ Teri anaged. EIs - is he hereoo%’

E0oes it loo as if he’s here%’ )osalind'soice was #roen and husy. E&e’s gone.

=eft e flat.’ 1utting her face in her hands,)osalind #urst into tears. EI’ve #een an ut-er fool, Teri. I was carried away #y his flat-ery - #y his wanting e, so uch older



89

han he. I trusted hi.’ $he looed up,ropping her hands to her sides. EFill Gon

orgive e, do you thin%’

E!orgive%’ Teri’s heart#eats thuddedouder than ever. Through the window sheaw =inda and Fendy coing closer. EHou

want to coe #ac to Gon%’

E;f course I do. ;h, you’ve no idea how ’ve issed Fendy. Fhere is she, Teri% Ishe all right%’

$uddenly Teri felt quite sic. If Jepad not waled out on )osalind she would

ot now #e giving a thought to Fendy.Teri’s eyes went to the window again and in

sudden access of desperation she tried tohin what she ust do. If she could eep

he away fro the house - Dust until Goneturned. But already they had #roen intotrot and even while Teri stood there, un-

#le either to ove or spea, #oth =indand Fendy waved and called out to Teri.



8 +

)osalind turned, then too a handerchief ro her pocet and swiftly dried her eyes.

E2y #a#y* &ow she’s grown* And how

rown she is’E)osalind,’ interrupted Teri desperately,

you ustn’t let Fendy see you until afterou’ve seen Gon. 1lease, )osalind. >oe

nto y #edroo and wait there.’ $heade an urgent ove towards the door,

ut )osalind reained where she was.E6ot let y own child see e%’ $he

urned fro the window. EFhat are youaling a#out% >ertainly I’ll see Fendy. Inny case, it’s too late. &ere she is* Fendy,

y love* Are you glad to see 2uy%’E2uy*’ echoed =inda, every drop of

lood draining fro her face. ;nly Terieeed to have heard. )osalind ovedcross the intervening space towards thepen doorway in which her daughter wasraed, =inda right #ehind her. The child’s



8

yes held recognition, #ut she ade noove to go to her other.

EFendy darling,' alost so##ed )os-

lind, E2uy’s coe #ac to you. Aren’tou going to iss e%’

!or answer Fendy turned and presseder face against =inda’s thigh.

ELo to your uy,’ urged =inda in aone Teri scarcely recognied. EAuntie

=inda’s going hoe now. ’Bye, =ittle0ainty.’ &er voice had dropped to theerest treor of despair. Teri said,

E0on’t go, =inda,’ and then instantly re-retted it as )osalind, her attention arres-ed #y the relationship o#viously e@istingetween her daughter and the girl with

who she had #een riding, looed ratherelligerently at =inda and ased shortly,

EFho are you% Fendy sees ratherore than ordinarily attached to you.’

EI’ Dust a neigh#our,’ answered =indahrough whitened lips. EFendy and I are -



85 +

re g-great pals' $he #roe off, and thee@t oent she was gone. Through the

window Teri saw her dig her heels into

andy and the horse shot forward, sendingp a cloud of ochre-coloured dust #ehinder.

E&as she fallen for Gon%’ )osalind

wanted to now, forgetting Fendy for theoent as she glanced through the win-

ow and followed the trail of dust with heryes.

EI’ not in a position to answer that,'

eplied Teri coldly. And then, E&adn’t youetter sit down% Gon shouldn’t #e long. 1er-aps you’d lie a cup of tea%’

EThans, I would. Fendy dear’

EI want only you, Auntie Teri.’ Burstingnto tears, Fendy ran after her aunt as she

went towards the itchen.E6o, dear, go #ac to 2uy, there’s a

ood girl’ Teri stopped and, finding a



8:

anderchief, #ent down and with gentleingers dried her niece’s eyes.

EI want Auntie =inda.’ Fendy #egan to

ry again and Teri too her into her ars.Anyone #ut her other, thought Teri with

rowing #itterness. Fhy did )osalind haveo coe #ac% /veryone was going to #e

pset - and what was to #e the end of it%Fould Gon feel copelled to tae his wife

ac, if only for Fendy’s sae%E0on’t cry, darling. 2uy wants you

o go to her. Lo, sweetheart you’ll #e all

ight in a oent or two - after you’ve gotver the strangeness. 2uy’s #een on a

ong holiday, you new that, didn’t you%’EHes.’

EFell then, here she is #ac again.'EI didn’t want her to coe #ac.’EFendy darling, you ustn’t say things

e that. Fhy, you always used to #e as-ng when she’d #e #ac.'



84

EThat was a long tie ago. I love yound Auntie =inda now, instead. I don’t

want to iss her.'

E&ush, pet, she’ll hear you.’E=et e stay here with you, and help you

o ae the tea.’EFendy,' called )osalind fro the

ounge. E>oe to 2uy* 0o as I say andtop #eing silly*’

ELo on’E0addy*’ Fendy flew to the stoep as Gon

ae across the yard followed #y Garu.0addy, 2uy’s coe - #ut I don’t wanto iss her.'

&e too the steps three at a tie. Teriaw the grey lines creep rapidly under the

ich tan of his face.E2uy%’ &e looed at Teri, who nod-

ed du#ly.E$he’s coe #ac fro her holiday,'

egan Fendy, #ut she spoe to herself Gonwas already striding along the passage. Teri



857

losed the itchen door, leaving her #rothernd his wife to tal without the fear of nterruption.

Gon cae to the itchen ten inutesater.

EFhere’s =inda%’ he ased harshly. E$heaid she was staying to tea.’

E$he went hoe,' Teri replied quietly.That was only natural, Gon. $he was ter-i#ly upset, although she anaged to hideer feelings adira#ly.’

&is face was grey and drawn. &e leantgainst the high cup#oard that was part of he new unit which had #een installed.

EFhat’s to #e done, Teri%’ he asedhicly. E$he wants e to tae her #ac -

ut you’ve guessed that%’E$he did as e if I thought you’d for-

ive her.' Teri’s eyes filled up. E=inda....’ sheurured, and Gon nodded, his outhight, his eyes hard, lie etal.

'I' not having =inda hurt'



853 +

E=inda is hurt,’ interrupted Teri. EHouust now that. $he and Fendy cae inro riding and )osalind was here. $he i-

ediately ased Fendy if she were glad toee her uy. =inda went white, as youan iagine.’

EFhat are you taling a#out%’ Fendy

ntervened, looing fro her father to herunt. EIs 2uy going to stay with us forlways%’

E6o, she is not,' snapped Gon ephatic-lly, #ut Teri said,

EHou can’t ae your decision untilou’re ore coposed, Gon. After all, )os-lind is Fendy’s other.'

EFhat sort of other*'

Teri ignored that.EIf you hadn’t et =inda would you have

aen her #ac%’E6o - yes I don’t now whether I

would or not.’



858 +

Teri sighed. $he felt utterly spent, #uter heart ached for her #rother, and for

=inda. Het she pitied )osalind too, for she

ad ruined her life #y that lapse. They ould never pic up the threads again evenf Gon agreed to tae her #ac, siply #e-ause he now loved soeone else.

E=et’s have soe tea. I’ve ade sand-wiches for the tie #eing I’ll coo oething ore su#stantial later.’

Gon scowled at her.EFho wants food at a tie lie this%’EFe’ll all feel a little #etter when we’ve

aten.’EFhat’s wrong with Fendy%’ Gon ased,

hanging the su#Dect. E)osalind says she

won’t even loo at her.’E$he wanted e to iss her, and I don’t

want to.’EFendy feels strange. It’s over ten

onths since she saw her other andhat’s a long while in a child’s life. $he’ll #e



85+ +

ll right when she gets over the initialhyness.’

EI won’t,’ declared Fendy ephatically.

And I’ not shy. Hou and 0addy alwaysay I’ not shy. I don’t want 2uy,hat’s all, #ecause I’ve got you and Auntie

=inda now.’

EHou’re not to say that,’ Teri saidternly. E;f course you want your uy.’

E=eave her alone,’ snapped Gon. EIf sheays she doesn’t want )osalind then sheoesn’t, and you’ve no right to try and

ae her #e friendly.’Teri flushed under these sharp words,

ut she understood how Gon felt. &e couldot thin clearly so soon after the shoc of

eeing )osalind here and learning that shewanted to coe #ac to hi. Toorrow,when he had had a sleep, and tie to con-ider the atter ore rationally, he woulde a#le to ae his decision.



>&A1T/) /IL&T

);$A=I60 wanted to stay at Jarunda #ut

on, harsh and unforgiving, said she usttay at the hotel in ;asville until he had

ade up his ind what he intended doing.E&ow long will that #e%’ &er face was

rawn, her eyes puffed up fro crying. EIan’t wait too long for your verdict.’

&is outh went tight.EHou’ve waited ten onths to return to

e you’ll now wait y convenience.’



34 +

Teri sat with the at the ta#le, havinghe tea and sandwiches she had ade.

Fendy was ne@t to her other, #ut she

eeed quite deterined not to loo ater.

EHou can’t refuse to tae e #ac,’ )os-lind told hi on a sudden spurt of anger.

6or can you eep e fro Fendy.’EIf I say you’re not seeing Fendy then

ou’ll not see her.’)osalind turned to Teri.ETal to hi, please,’ she #egged. EHou

now that he can’t eep e fro y ownhild. If we went to court they’d give e theustody of her.’

E0on’t tal a#out going to court,’ said

Teri, distressed and feeling she ust leavehe ta#le and let the tal alone. EIt won’toe to that.’

Gon looed at her in aaeent. EIf Iecide to divorce )osalind it ust coe tocourt case.’



87 +

Teri gave a helpless little shrug. EI’lleave you, Gon. I’ sure you can discusshis atter #etter if you’re alone.’

EFe’ve #een alone, and we’ve discussedll we are going to discuss for the tie #e-ng.’ &e looed at his wife. &e could see sheadn’t finished her tea, #ut he said coldly,

f you’re ready I’ll tae you into ;as-ille.’

)osalind wanted to tae Fendy in herrs and iss her #efore she left, #ut

Fendy ran out to the itchen and )osalind

eft without even saying good night to her.E>an we go over to see Auntie =inda%’

The child looed pleadingly at Teri, whoad followed her to the itchen. ETae e,

Auntie Teri.’EI can’t, darling. Toorrow, perhaps’EFhy not now%’ Two great tears fell

ro Fendy’s eyes. EI want to see her now.’Teri turned away, to hide the tears gath-

ring in her own eyes.



83 +

EThey’ll #e having tea,’ she said gently.And you don’t go visiting when people areaving their eals.’

Fendy’s lips tre#led and ore tearsell.

EFhy did she go away so quicly% $heaid she was staying to have tea here, with

s.’EIt was #ecause 2uy had coe.

Auntie =inda nows you haven’t seen2uy for a long while and she thought

ou’d have a lot to tal to her a#out.’EI felt funny - and I didn’t now what to

al a#out. 2uy isn’t the sae.’Bewilderedly she looed up at her aunt. EI

on’t want her to coe here any ore.’

Teri thought it #est not to pursue thisu#Dect and she suggested she and Fendy o for a wal along the river.

EFe’ll tae Buster he hasn’t had a goodun today.’



88 +

EAll right.’ Fendy seeed to cheer up attle she called to the dog who was lying inhe shade of a #ao#a# tree he cae #ound-

ng towards the, then trotted along inront. They cae at last to the little grove

which Fendy had said she would eep forer secret place, #ut to which she had taen

=inda the very ne@t tie she went ridingwith her. =inda had nown a#out it, of ourse, and she told Teri so, #ut she natur-lly did not ention it to Fendy, whoirly #elieved that she and her father and

Teri had #een the first to discover it.E=et’s go into y secret place, shall we%’E;f course,’ siled Teri, relieved that

Fendy was #righter now.

EI do lie to listen to the sound of thewaterfall, don’t you% ;h, loo at Buster,

etting the spray all over his coat* Buster -oe away, you silly #oy...’ Fendy’s fadingoice #rought Teri’s attention fro the



8+ +

elicate #lue flowers which had caught herye.

EFhat’s wrong%’ she stopped. Fendy

was staring through the dense vegetationnd, following the direction of her gae,

Teri noticed the girl sitting on a fallen tree-run. E=inda*’

EAuntie =inda*’ Fendy shot away and=inda got to her feet. $he cae forward,Fendy clinging to her hand. EFhy have you

een crying%’ Fendy wanted to now, loo-ng up into her face. EHou said you were

aving tea with us and you didn’t. Fhy ave you #een crying%’ she repeated, herwn face pucering.

EIt’s nothing, =ittle 0ainty.’ =inda forced

sile her eyes et Teri’s, faintly accus-ng. EI wish you’d told e,’ she said, half urning away #ecause the tears were closegain.

EI hated deceiving you.’ Teri’s voice waseeply apologetic. EGon’s told e how you



89 +

nd he feel a#out one another,’ she added,nd =inda’s head turned sharply.

E&e has% &e never told e - #ut we

new, Teri. &e new I cared, and I new nstinctively what his feelings were.’

E&e spoe of the to e - #efore )os-lind showed up’ Teri #roe off as =inda

eeed to shudder at the ention of Gon’swife. E&e had every intention of telling youhe whole truth,’ Teri continued after a

while. E&e said he’d tried often #ut shiredt. &e nows now that he should never have

egun the deceit - #ut he didn’t now hewas going to fall in love with you.’

A long and tense silence followed while=inda digested this. /ven Fendy was

wordless and still, looing fro one to thether, clearly ystified and yet not a#le tooice a question. Teri glanced down at her,ealiing she should not have entionedhe love which Gon felt for =inda. &owever,right as Fendy was she seeed una#le to



8 +

ssiilate the full content of what was #e-ng said.

EI tried not to let hi see,’ urured

=inda at last, E#ecause I #elieved hi toave #een recently widowed. They quar-elled, o#viously, and it ust have #eenerious for hi to coe out here. &e

hought it was a final #rea%’Teri nodded, glancing again at Fendy.

he was #etween the two girls, each of herands in one of theirs.

ELo and see what Buster’s doing, pet.

Bring hi away fro that water.’EAll right.’ Fendy was happy now she

ipped away to where Buster was nosingnto the wet grass at the foot of the

waterfall.E&e did #elieve it to #e a final #rea,’

Teri said when her niece was well out of arshot. Teri then went on to e@plainverything, for there was no longer any



8 +

eason for secrecy. Gon would confide in=inda even if she, Teri, did not.

E$he went off with your fiance%’ =inda

tared, appalled and dis#elieving. E&ow ould anyone leave a hus#and lie Gon%’

Teri shoo her head.E$he and Jep ust have #een infatu-

ted with one another.’ =inda seeedather daed #y what she had heard and

Teri went on, EJep wanted to arry )o-alind, and she ased Gon for a divorce. Ian’t thin what’s happened.’

E&ow dreadful it ust have #een forou*’ =inda forgot her own isery for a

oent as she looed with copassion ater friend. EHou ust have #een heart-

roen%’Teri nodded, yet #ecae thoughtfully

ilent for a while #efore she said,EAt the tie I thought it was the end of

he world, and yet I now now I had a nar-ow escape. Jep is a thorough rogue and



85 +

t’s unliely that he would have reainedaithful to e for very long.’

EI agree - #ecause of the way he treated

ou #efore arriage, and also #ecause of he way he’s treated )osalind. &e ustave #een quite callous to cast her off afterreaing up her hoe.’

EIf only I hadn’t ever et hi*’ Teripoe to herself =inda said after thining#out this,

EThen Gon would have #een happy withis wife that’s what you’re saying%’

EHes, that’s right.’EAnd so you and Gon would never have

oe here.’Teri looed at her, distress and regret in

er [email protected] would have #een #etter all round,

=inda.’ A#sently =inda nodded, although the

hadows in her eyes #etrayed her thoughts.



8: +

EI e@pect it would . . . and yet I can’tagine never having et Gon.’ Tears filleder eyes. EI’ve #een a fool to let yself care

#ut I thought - thought that in tie height have coe to thining of arrying

gain.’ $he paused, e@pecting soe re-ponse fro Teri. Fhen none cae she ad-

ed hesitantly, E&ave you had any discus-ion with Gon - a#out his intentions, I

ean%’E&e’s sent )osalind to the hotel in ;as-

ille until he can ae up his ind,’ Teri

nswered gently, her eyes on Fendy whowas tugging at Buster’s collar in an endeav-

ur to #ring hi away fro whatever hadaught his interest in the #oggy ground at

he #ase of the waterfall.EHou thin he’ll tae her #ac%’ The

words seeed to #e dragged out =inda wass pale as on that oent she had stood inhe doorway of the sitting-roo and heard

)osalind speaing to her child. E&e’ll have



84 +

o thin of Fendy.’ =inda swallowedoething hard in her throat. E&ow did

Fendy go on with her after-wards%’

EFendy wouldn’t have anything to dowith her, #ut it’s ten onths since she saw

er other and naturally she felt strange.’E$he’ll get over that.’ A sall silence and

hen, E&ow could )osalind leave her% $he’she ost delightful child I’ve ever nown...’

The sad voice trailed away it was not diffi-ult for Teri to iagine her friend’shoughts. =inda was wishing that Fendy

were hers. E0id you ever guess%’ added=inda, her thoughts switching erratically.

ELuess%’EThat I was #eginning to care for Gon%’

EHes - quite early, as a atter of fact.But I didn’t thin Gon was also falling inove - not at first, I ean. I did #egin touspect it afterwards,’ she added, her eyesgain oving to Fendy.



+7 +

E&e didn’t see to notice e at first,’=inda aditted, her eyes flicering rein-scently. EAnd even when he did, and I

new instinctively that he was #eginning toare, he never said anything - neither of usid, as I’ve Dust told you.’

Fendy was coing #ac to the,

Buster having at last decided that whatevere was hunting had ade its escape. Teripoe quicly, asing the question that hadeen in her ind since the conversationegan.

E&ave you told Brand what’s happened -#out )osalind coing, I ean%’ &e hadroised to coe over to Jarunda andal, she recalled, #ut he ust now #e feel-

ng thoroughly disgusted #oth with Gon anderself for their deceit - now that it hadrought such suffering to =inda, and Teriad convinced herself that what-ever his

ntention had #een he had now a#andonedt. The idea hurt a#oina#ly, for she



+3 +

penly aditted to herself that she was inove with Brand - had #een for soe wees,lthough she had tried her #est to fight it.

The anticipation of the Etal’ had resultedn a ounting e@citeent within her #e-ause she felt she new e@actly what he in-ended saying - or rather, asing. And she

ad even gone as far as to rehearse her an-wer so that she would not feel diffidentnd shy when the tie cae for Brand tout his proposal. &er e@citeent had #een

ounting, eclipsing all else until that fatal

oent of )osalind’s arrival had driven ito-pletely fro her ind.

EI haven’t #een hoe,’ =inda was saying,nd Teri’s eyes widened, flitting to the

allen tree-trun.E6ot #een hoe% Hou’ve #een sitting

here all this while%’ And when =inda nod-ed du#ly, EHou’ve had nothing to eat.’

EI can’t eat,’ =inda #egan when Teri in-errupted her.



+8 +

EI now how you feel, #ut you ust ateast have a drin. >oe #ac with us andet e ae you one.’ $he looed persuad-

ngly at her and added, EGon isn’t in, so we’lle alone.’

=inda hesitated, then shoo her head,aying that Gon ust #e #ac shortly and

he had no wish to see hi at present.EIt will help hi to ae his decision if

e doesn’t see e,’ she added in constrictedones. EIt’s fairer to all concerned if he isn’tnfluenced in any way.’

Teri privately thought that Gon woulde influenced quite strongly #y his love for

=inda, #ut he would also have to considerwhat was #est for his child.

EBrand nows that Gon lied a#out hiswife,’ she had to say, nowing full well that=inda ust soon learn of this. E&e and Iwere taling once and it cae out. &e sus-

ected there was soe ystery right at the



++ +

tart and he ased e outright if Gon’s wifewas still living.’

=inda stared, then her e@pression #e-

ae tinged with #itterness.E&e didn’t tell e’EIt was y fault, really,’ Teri confessed,

so please don’t #lae hi. I ased hi to

eep quiet until Gon should decide to con-ide in hi.’

After a oent =inda nodded, sayinghe fully understood, and as Fendy ap-eared and #egan speaing the su#Dect wasropped.

Brand cae over the following orningnd one glance at his face told Teri that he

was angry #ut, strangely, he put ost of the

lae on hiself.EI should not have proised to eep

uiet,’ he said, his features taut and a triflerey. EBut naturally I never conteplated aituation such as this.’



+9 +

Gon was woring in the plantation, wa-ering the trees and e@aining the forny sign of disease or pests, and as Fendy

was with hi Teri and Brand were alone.E&as =inda told you everything%’EA#out Gon’s wife wanting to return to

i% Hes, of course she has. =inda was in a

ad way and the only thing holding her inhec was the presence of the others. $heold e in private, so $usan and Alec don’tnow anything, as yet.’ &e and Teri were inhe lounge she had ade coffee and he

watched her pouring it. E&as anything tran-pired% )osalind definitely wants a re-nion%’ he ased, and reluctantly Teriodded.

EHes, Brand, she wants hi to forgiveer and tae her #ac.’

E&e pro#a#ly will,’ responded Brand, Eif nly for Fendy’s sae.’ &is voice was low,ut deadly as the hiss of a snae, and Teri

was ipelled to as,



+ +

EFould you tae your wife #ac, if shead done that to you%’

&is outh tightened he looed lie

urder, she thought ... and his urderousoo was actually directed at her*

ETae her #ac% I’d strangle her *’$wiftly she glanced down at her cup,

oping he had not seen her flush, or the e@-ression in her eyes.

EGon loves =inda,’ she urured atength. E0id she tell you that%’

E$he didn’t have to, it was written allver her face. In any case, I new, didn’t I%

#ecause you yourself told e.’Teri nodded, watching that upthrust

aw and the faint glier of that twisted

ile, which was now neither huorousor attractive. In fact, it added an alostavage eleent to the harshness already

asing his custoary handsoe features.he entioned Gon’s original intention of ivorcing his wife.



+ +

EAt that tie, though,’ she went on todd, Ehe #elieved she would then arry

Jep.’

EBut now she’ll #e alone.’ &e spoe toiself, seeing to go over the whole situ-tion in his ind. E$he’ll try to get Fendy -f Gon does decide to divorce her, that is.’

EI’ sure she will.’ Teri’s eyes shad-wed she looed desperate and forlornnd Brand’s face softened iraculously,fting her spirits to soe sall degree

while at the sae tie causing her to feel

uilty at the idea that she could #e consid-ring herself at a tie lie this which waso fraught with unhappiness for Gon and

=inda. EBrand, do you thin the court

would give Fendy to her%’&e #ecae thoughtful.EFendy’s very young Fas )osalind a

ood other%’



+5 +

EMery she seeed to adore Fendy,’ atwhich Brand’s outh twisted in a sneer of ontept.

EAdore her%’ &is #rows were raised, hisoice vi#rant with disdain and anger. E$he

was easily tepted to desert her. &ow didhe now what was to #ecoe of her%’

E$he new Gon would care for her, and I@pect she new too that I would go andouseeep for y #rother. This course washe only natural one #ecause y life hadlso #een upset. Hou see, I had given in a

onth’s notice at the office, and )osalindnew this.’

EAre you aing e@cuses for her%’ he de-anded harshly, and Teri ade a swift

enial.E>ertainly not. But you suggested that

)osalind didn’t care what was to #ecoe of Fendy. I was siply trying to e@plain thathe would now Fendy would #e all right.’



+: +

E0oes that itigate the offence%’ &eeeed hard all at once and the lightnesshat had coe to Teri soon evaporated.

EBrand,’ she pleaded, Edon’t isunder-tand e. I can’t stand uch ore. I’ Dusts unhappy a#out all this as everyone else.’ very fond of =inda, you ust now

hat, and I love y #rother and naturally want hi to #e happv.’

EI’ sorry’ &is hand went across thea#le and covered hers. EThis dana#leituation has affected y thining. I’ not

ngry with you, dear, nor even with Gon, al-hough I do consider it would have #een

ore sensi#le of hi to have told theruth.’

EHou said you yourself would have hesit-ted to do so,’ she couldn’t help reindingi, and he nodded a#sently.

EHes, I feel I would have endeavoured toonceal the truth. It’s not very flattering toan’s ego when his wife prefers soeone



+4 +

lse.’ &e fell silent, and withdrew his hand.Teri felt its loss, and the cofort and reas-urance his touch had given her. EI feel sure

hat a court would give Fendy into the cus-ody of her other,’ he declared at length.If she was a good other, as you say she

was, then I can’t see her child #eing taen

way fro her.’E6or can I - and Gon would never #e

arted fro Fendy.’E6o, naturally he wouldn’t,’ Brand

greed, a greyness creeping into his face.

&e’ll have to tae )osalind #ac, and=inda ust endeavour to get over it. Fill

on leave Jarunda, do you thin%’E)osalind wouldn’t #e a#le to settle

ere. At hoe she and Gon had a wideircle of friends and she’s used to a fairly ull social life.’

EAnd you . . .%’$he looed away this was not what she

would have e@pected Brand to have said.



97 +

;n the other hand, she would not have e@-ected hi to reveal his feelings for her athis tie. &e was too fully occupied with

n@iety over his cousin. In any case, shead already decided that she really had noroof that Brand cared for her she had

erely #uilt her hopes on the fact that he

ad said they would tal.EI ight try to run the far on y own,’

he replied, in tones scarcely a#ove awhisper.

E6o woan can run a far lie this on

er own*’$he looed across at hi, her eyes far

oo #right.EThen I too shall have to return to

/ngland.’&is outh went tight.EFe’ll discuss that later,’ he alost

napped, and rose to his feet. EI’ll go over tohe plantation and tal to Gon. 0oes he



93 +

now a#out your conversation with =indaesterday afternoon%’

EI told hi a#out it, yes.’

EFhat was his reaction%’E&e was dreadfully upset. &e wanted to

o over and see =inda, #ut I advised hiot to. =inda doesn’t want to see hi until

e’s ade his decision.’E$he told e that.’ Brand uttered a deep

igh and added, EHou’d #etter coe with end tae Fendy away while we tal.’

EHes, all right.’ $he hesitated. EFhat areou going to say to Gon%’

EI don’t quite now - not yet. But I e@-ect he’s feeling pretty low and it’ll only

ae hi feel worse if he nows I’ve #een

ere and gone away without having a few words with hi.’

EHou’re not going to try to influencei%’ she ased an@iously, and Brand

ooed sharply at her.



98 +

E>ertainly not. 6o one should either try o advise or influence hi. &is decision isntirely his own.’

EHou didn’t answer y question,’ Teriaid a few inutes later as they waledhrough the garden on their way to thelantation. EFould you tae your wife #ac,

nder these circustances%’&e was striding along, #ut he slacened

is pace and looed down into Teri’s up-urned face.

EI #elieve I would, if I had a child’ &e

roe off, gritting his teeth. EBut I’d aeer suffer* !orgiveness for a wrong lie

hat would #e #eyond e, while revengewould #e strong. A wife of ine would pay

ear for her infidelity. In fact, #y the tie’d finished with her she’d wish with all hereart she’d ept away fro e*’ &is haelyes glittered and #urned, lie a tiger’s.

Teri shivered and glanced away. Brand hadeen arrogant, indifferent and gentle with



9+ +

er in turn she now new that ruthless-ess and even cruelty were traits that heossessed in strength.

They waled on in silence after that,oth deep in thought. A faint #reee stirred

Teri’s hair, and swayed the pals and eu-alyptus trees it #rought the heady aroa

f the citrus groves floating towards thend the #rilliant sun glistened on the shiny reen leaves. The young trees were growingtrongly and would soon #ecoe product-ve it would #e a pity if Gon had to leave it

ll - and leave it he ust if he too his wifeac again. &e had loved the far, and thehallenge it had presented. They had #oth

written to 2irrie and to their father, telling

he of the help Brand had given and theesults of this help. 2irrie had written #ac aying that she and her hus#and were co-ng over ne@t year for a holiday and wereooing forward to seeing the iprove-

ents that had #een taing place at



99 +

Jarunda. $o uch disappointent wouldesult fro Gon’s a#andonent of the farand so uch heartache. Teri did not thin

e would ever settle down to office routinefter the freedo and healthy outdoor lifeo which he had #ecoe used.

EAuntie Teri*’ Fendy’s voice cae over

he scented air and Teri waved. ECncleBrand, have you coe #y yourself% Fhere’sAuntie =inda%’

E&ell*’ e@ploded Brand. EFhat’s to #ehe end of all this% $he can’t coe over

oday, little one,’ he said in an altered voices Fendy ran up to the and too hisand. E$he’s rather #usy, #ut she’ll #e co-

ng to see you Dust as soon as she’s a#le.’

Gon turned, said soething to Gosephnd left hi, coing towards Brand and

Teri.E&ello, Brand.’ &e looed rather

n@iously at hi, E>oe to slate e, I sup-ose, and you have every right.’



9 +

EThat’s not what I’ve coe for.’ Brandooed round. EHou’ve done a splendid Do#ere.’ &is glance flicered to Teri. $he

iled at Fendy and told her they were go-ng into ;asville to do soe shopping.

E;oh, great* I’ll have soe ice-crea athe cafe*’ $he tuced her hand into that of

er aunt and they turned and went towardshe house, leaving the two en together.

Three days passed and still Gon had notade up his ind. )osalind had coe toJarunda #y ta@i, #ut Gon had not even al-owed her into the house.

EHou can go #ac until I’ ready to giveou y answer,’ he told her harshly, and

ven Teri winced at his tone. This was sonlie her #rother, the #rother who hadoforted her even while his own hurt

ust have #een searing his heart.



9 +

E>an’t I see Fendy%’ )osalind looedploringly at hi, #ut he shoo his headirly.

EFendy doesn’t want to see you. I’ notaving her upset’

EGon,’ Teri had interrupted, EI’ll go andetch Fendy. $he’s in the fields with the

oys. It won’t tae a inute.’Gon had glowered at her.EI’ not having her upset,’ he said

gain, and that was that. )osalind was toldo get #ac into the ta@i, which she did,ears starting to her eyes.

EIt wasn’t fair, Gon,’ Teri had protested,ut Gon had #een so curt with her that shead left hi and gone #ac into the house.

&e apologied later, #ut reained fir,aying that his inclination was to divorce

)osalind and arry =inda.EFe #oth care deeply,’ he said, his face

ale and drawn. EFe now it, so thereees no logic in y taing )osalind #ac.’



95 +

EBrand #elieves that )osalind will #eiven the custody of Fendy. 0id he en-ion that to you%’

EHes. Fe had a long tal and Brandees to thin that I have no alternativehan to have )osalind #ac.’ Teri said noth-ng and after a oent he went on, EI shall

ever forgive her for what she’s done - asou could never forgive Jep, could you%

E6o,’ she aditted, E#ut it’s not quite theae, Gon Fe weren’t arried.’

EI’ taling a#out forgiveness,’ he re-

urned shortly. EFhat good is it to live to-ether when I can neither forgive nor for-et% Added to this is the fact that I loveoeone else.’

Teri spread her hands helplessly.EI can’t advise you, Gon, if that’s what

ou’re asing. I feel that you should con-ider taing )osalind #ac, #ut on the oth-r hand I can’t #ear to thin of you and

=inda #eing unhappy.’



9: +

EAnd Fendy,’ he suppleented grily.EFendy will get over it. $he was devoted

o her other and will #e so again, after a

while.’E$he’ll forget =inda%’E$he forgot her other,’ Teri pointed

ut, and Gon gave an ipatient shrug.

EFe’re getting nowhere fast* I shall notae up y ind yet.’

E6o,’ she said gently. EHou ust taeour tie, Gon.’

EI intend to. I don’t thin I can livewithout =inda,’ he added hoarsely. EIt’s atrange thing, #ut I never felt quite lie this#out )osalind, even when we were at ourappiest. =inda has soething which )os-

lind lacs, soething vital and deep.’ Hes, there was certainly ore depth

#out =inda, Teri had to adit. &er valueswere different fro those of )osalind, too.

he cared for natural things lie flowersnd trees and open spaces whereas



94 +

)osalind’s life had centred around aterialhings lie a lovely house, iaculately urnished, a place where she could enter-

ain her fashiona#le friends. $he wouldever have #een seen in the disreputa#letation wagon, which was all =inda wouldave, for quite a tie, if she arried Gon.

EBrand didn’t try to influence you%’ Terised at length. E&e said he wouldn’t.’

E6o. &e was firly of the opinion thato one should intervene, one way or thether. I’ entirely on y own in this.’ Gon

ooed oddly at his sister then and added,Brand ased e if I thought you wouldver thin of going #ac to Jep. I toldi no.’

Teri frowned.E&e never ased e that. &e seeed to

ae it for granted that I wouldn’t.’EI gained the ipression that the idea

ust occurred to hi, as we were taling.’



7 +

EI’ glad you told hi no,’ she returnedpulsively, and again Gon looed oddly ater. A#ruptly she changed the su#Dect, re-

erring to the dance which they were sup-osed to #e attending at the clu# in ;as-ille. EAre we still going or do you thin wehould put it off%’

EThere’s no reason that I can see why wehouldn’t attend the dance.’ &e waited foroe coent and when Teri reained si-ent he also changed the su#Dect, asing if he really #elieved that the court would

ive )osalind the custody of Fendy.EIt’s a possi#ility, Gon. ;#viously I can’t

e sure one way or another.’EI’ not losing y child.’ &e was #eing

orn to pieces and Teri’s heart went out toi. EI suppose that even were I allowed toeep her )osalind would #e a#le to tae herff for holidays. And if she too her to /ng-and I ight have difficulty in getting herac.’



3 +

EThat’s also a possi#ility.’ &er voiceroe a little. EThere are so any things tohin of, and I wish I could help you, Gon.

t’s awful to #e so helpless - in the grip of ircustances lie this.’

ETo thin,’ he said #itterly, Ethat weae here to get away fro it all* I hate its

ffecting you, Teri, since it’s entirely y ro#le.’

E0on’t worry a#out e,’ she returnedoothingly. EFhatever your decision I’ll un-erstand - even if it eans we have to leave

Jarunda.’ $he was tepted to ention hereelings for Brand, and her hopes of

Brand’s reciprocation, #ut decided againstt. After all, she still had nothing concrete

n which to #ase those hopes. $igns andints were all very well, #ut she ust wait

or soething ore definite.EHou’ve o#viously realied that, should I

ecide to have )osalind #ac, we’ll have tove in /ngland%’



8 +

$he nodded.EHes, Gon, I have. )osalind would never

ettle here. I entioned this to Brand,’ she

dded, and Gon frowned.EAnd that also eans that we’re letting

2irrie down.’ A great sigh rose fro theery heart of hi. EThe pro#le sees to

e widening, so any people are involved.’EI’d already thought of 2irrie. But she’s

ost understanding, Gon, and she would@pect you to do what’s #est for yourself.’

EFhat’s #est for yself happens to #ewhat’s #est for everyone concerned - even)osalind. I don’t love her, I don’t want her

nd everything in e re#els at the very ideaf living with her again. Infidelity is very

ard to forgive, Teri.’$he nodded, recalling what Brand had

aid on the su#Dect.EI do thin you should go and see )os-

lind, Gon. &ave a tal with her and e@plainow you feel. $he ight then decide she



+ +

erself can’t face up to living with you, see-ng that you can’t forgive her.’

&e agreed and went off in the station

wagon to ;asville.;n his return, hours later, he told Teri

hat nothing decisive had coe fro theal with his wife.

EBut soehow,’ he added thoughtfully, gained the ipression that Fendy wasn’tll that iportant to her. $he wants a hoend a hus#and, and the prestige thesering to a woan. $he said quite definitely hat she would never live here she wants aoplete return to the old life’ &e shoo is head he seeed older, uch older,han she had ever seen hi. EI love it here,

nd I now that even if I could forgive )os-lind and resue a noral life with her I’dever #e happy in the old office Do#. This isan’s life I’ve #ecoe used to the est of

ts challenge - fighting the cliate, andwinning #y sheer effort and grit. Added to



9 +

ll that,’ he went on, Eis the fact that I love=inda, so there’s no possi#ility of even aodicu of happiness for e if I give her

p.’ Teri could find nothing to say and Gondded, E$he hasn’t called% - =inda, I ean%’

E6o, and Fendy’s #een dreadfully un-appy. $he sees to thin =inda doesn’t

are for her any ore.’EFhere’s Fendy now%’EIn the fields with Goseph and the #oys.’

/arlier the child had #een crying, #ut nat-rally Teri refrained fro entioning this.

EFhy doesn’t Auntie =inda coe,’ shead ased isera#ly. EIt isn’t as if I’ve #eenaughty, or anything. $he always coesvery day when she’s staying with Cncle

Brand, #ut she hasn’t #een for three wholeays. >an we go and see her%’

E6ot Dust now, darling. Auntie =indaust #e #usy, #ut she’ll coe when shean.’ It had #een a heart#reaing interlude,ut Goseph had coe along and, seeing



+

Fendy’s tears and learning the reason forhe, he had - with Teri’s help - persuadeder to go with hi to the fields.

EFe’ll tae Buster,’ he had said. E&ees racing a#out the fields.’

EHou say )osalind wasn’t really inter-sted in Fendy%’ Teri looed questioningly

t her #rother. E$he always loved her, so Ian’t see how you gained that ipression%’

EIf she’d loved Fendy she couldn’t haveeft her - not when she’s so young andeeding a other. 6o, I honestly feel that

ll )osalind cares a#out is re-esta#-lishingerself after the ess she’s ade of herfe. $he #elieved Jep would arry hernd had he done so we’d never have heard

f her again. $he’s only using Fendy as aever I saw this when she told e that,hould I divorce her, she would #e the one

who would #e given the custody of thehild.’



+

E$he entioned that when she was here.he’s repeated it%’

EHes, she’s repeated it, and it was a

hreat, ae no istae a#out that.’$o it would see that )osalind ust

win, since Gon would never give up hisaughter, not even for =inda.

EHou’ve gained nothing, then, #y seeing)osalind%’

EI wouldn’t say that, e@actly. I’ de#at-ng on whether or not to call her #luff.

!ranly, I can’t see )osalind wanting to #eaddled with a child unless she has a hus-and as well... #ecause if I divorce her she’ll

nstantly #egin looing for soeone else,nd she’ll stand a #etter chance of arry-

ng if she’s copletely free, which shewon’t #e if she has Fendy.’

Teri thought a#out this, #ut ade nooent on it. Instead she ased tentat-vely if he had entioned =inda to his wife.



5 +

E6o, I didn’t dare. A Dealous woan is aangerous woan, #ut you don’t need toe told that.’

E6o. )osalind always was rather Dealous,f you ree#er%’

&e agreed, aditting that life had aties #een ade ost uncoforta#le #y

is wife’s Dealousy.EIt’s darned unpleasant when you’ve a

ow to face #ecause you’ve erely #eenia#le to a woan.’

Teri was learning things a#out )osalind

which she did not now, and she founderself hoping that Gon would in the endecide not to go #ac to her. Teri and Gonad always #een close and she could not

ear to thin of his #eing unhappy. At first,he had thought that perhaps with tie hend )osalind would #e a#le to ae a go of t, #ut not now.

EHou did love her, though,’ she ur-ured, speaing her thoughts aloud, and



: +

on did not deny this. &e could not, siply ecause he had #een utterly #roen whenis wife left hi, Dust as Teri had #een

roen when Jep #roe the engageent.&ad )osalind returned earlier Gon would

ro#a#ly have taen her #ac, deterinedo forgive and forget. 6ow, however, he had

et =inda and coparisons ust assuredly ave left )osalind wanting.

It was alost tea tie and Gon said hewould go and #ring Fendy in. $he hadanaged to get over her deDection and was

er usual #right self as they sat on thetoep having their tea.

E>an I coe to the dance with you%’ shesed on hearing her father and Teri dis-

ussing it. EI can dance Auntie =indaaught e one day when I went to Cncle

Brand’s house. $hall I show you%’E6o, pet, have your tea.’EFhen I’ve had it, then% 0addy, will you

ance with e so we can show Auntie Teri%



4 +

>an I coe with you%’ she ased againwithout waiting for an answer to her first

uestion.

EHou’re too young,’ replied Gon. E=ittleirls aren’t allowed in the clu#.’

EFhy%’EBecause it’s only for ladies and

entleen.’E0on’t they have dances for children%’E6ot at the clu#.’E>an I go when I’ #ig%’E;f course.’EAuntie =inda’s going to teach e to

lay tennis as well, and I can go to the ten-is #ecause she told e she’d tae e -

when I could play properly, of course.

Cncle Brand has a tennis court and that’swhere I’ going to learn. Fill you #uy e a

at, 0addy, the ne@t tie you go into;asville%’



3 +

EI do lie awae,’ she repeated a oentr two later. EIt’s lonely when there’s no one

n.’

EThere is soeone in,’ corrected Gon.Beth is always here.’

EIs she% I called her once and she didn’tnswer.’ Again Teri cast a glance at her

rother.EThat’s strange,’ she said, #ut Gon

assed it off, saying again that Fendy wasnly saying that.

EBeth’s paid to stay in and I’ quite cer-ain she does. $he’s always here when weoe in, no atter how late it is.’

EFell, she wasn’t in that night,’ assertedFendy. EI wanted a drin, #ut she didn’t

oe and I fell asleep, so I didn’t need arin after all.’

E0o you thin Beth goes out during thevening%’ Teri felt a tinge of pertur#ations she glanced at Gon. E$urely she doesn’to hoe and then coe #ac%’



8 +

E;f course not. If Fendy did call thenBeth didn’t hear her.’

EIll question Beth all the sae,’ Teri de-

ided, which she did, on the evening they were going to the dance.

EHes, issy, I stay in all the while, untilou and the #aas coe #ac.’ $he looed

Teri straight in the eyes and added, EGaruo out, you see, so I have to stay with thehild.’

EHou have to stay whether Garu is out orot. Are you telling e the truth, Beth% Houtay here all the tie%’

EI never leave this house, not for oneinute.’

EFell, will you please listen for Fendy%

he says she called you on one occasionnd you didn’t go to her.’

0espite his previous unconcern Gonlso questioned Beth, with the sae result.



+ +

E0o you #elieve her%’ ased Terin@iously when the woan had gone intohe itchen to prepare Fendy’s supper.

EHes, I #elieve her. $he Dust didn’t hearFendy, as I said.’

Teri was still a trifle an@ious and evenwhen she was ready she again suggested

he should stay in.EThen I’ll stay in with you.’ Gon was #y

is dressing- ta#le, co#ing his hair. Teriad gone in to hi and she stood Dust in-ide the door, watching hi. 6either sheor Gon had entioned it, #ut Teri new

hat her #rother was looing forward to theance solely #ecause he would see =inda.

The dance had #een arranged previous to

)osalind’s appearance and although Gonnd =inda had tacitly agreed not to eetntil Gon had ade his decision Teri haduessed that he was loath to iss this op-ortunity of seeing her, and dancing wither, even though in all pro#a#ility no



9 +

ention would #e ade of the pro#lewhich was tearing at #oth their hearts.

E6o, I won’t have that,’ Teri said firly.

Hou go, Gon, I don’t ind in the least stay-ng in.’

EBut it isn’t fair,’ he protested, turningro the irror. EI’ sure you’re worrying

nnecessarily,’ he seeed forced to add.Beth wouldn’t lie.’

Teri hesitated, then shrugged herhoulders. Gon was right, she was worryingnnecessarily.

EAll right,’ she siled, and saw his i-ediate e@pression of relief. EFe’ll #oth go.As you say, Beth wouldn’t lie.’



>&A1T/) 6I6/

B;T& Brand and his cousin e@pressed sur-

rise on seeing Gon and Teri #ut, strangely,o awwardness resulted fro the eetingnd after the four of the had chatted for aew inutes Brand ased Teri to dance. &is

anner was pleasantly reassuring and attle of Teri’s deDection lifted when he

ade the flattering coent that she washe ost #eautiful young lady present athe dance.



+

EThan you.’ $he tried to inDect a hint of useent into her voice, #ut he realiedhe was shy and changed the su#Dect, say-

ng that neither he nor =inda had e@pectedon to put in an appearance that evening. EI@pect he wanted to see =inda,’ Teri re-urned and, after a pause, E$usan and her

aily have gone, then%’EThey left this orning.’EThey don’t now anything%’ she ased

esitantly after a pause, and Brand shoo is head.

EThere was no point in telling the.They’ve no idea that =inda’s fallen for Gon

nd, should he decide to return to his wife,he fact that they are ignorant will save

=inda any unnecessary e#arrassent.’$he nodded, dwelling on what he had

aid regarding her #rother’s decision.EIt’s so difficult for hi,’ she urured,

peaing her thoughts aloud.



5 +

E&e isn’t any nearer%’ Brand looedown into her upturned face and despitehe faint frown on his #row she could not

elp thrilling to his e@pression as his eyeset hers. Adora#le colour tinted herhees and for one huorous oent

Brand’s lopsided sile cae into evidence.

E&e ust #e torn inside out.’ Teri spoewiftly, in the haste of confusion. EIt’s

Fendy, you see,’ she added ratherreathlessly.

Brand said thoughtfully, his hint of hu-

our fading,EFere it not for Fendy his decision

would #e siple%’ &alf question, half state-ent, and Teri nodded, saying that if it

weren’t for his daughter Gon would have noro#le at all.

E&e can’t ever forgive his wife,’ she ad-ed. EAt least, that’s how he feels atresent.’



: +

$ilence ensued, and it seeed to Terihat the ar encircling her slacened itsold.

EFhat a vital step arriage is.’ Brandpoe at length, his tones harsh-edged andeli#erate. EI suppose that’s one of the reas-ns why I’ve never given it uch thought.

;ne has to #e so very sure.’ &is hael eyesi@ed hers in a long and pro#ing scrutiny. A uiver ran along her nerves as her spiritsegan to sin. E=et’s go and find soe pri-acy*’ $udden decision in Brand’s voice,

nd a startling a#ruptness. EIt’s tie wead that tal I entioned.’ Fithout waitingo see if she agreed he ipelled her to-

wards the open french window leading off

he dance floor and out into the garden.&is nearness sent vi#rations tinglinghrough her whole #ody as they waled to-ether, his ar still a#out her. $he founderself entering into a state of tenseness



4 +

nd e@citeent, for there was surely noistaing Brand’s intention.

E>hild, you’re tre#ling.’ &e turned his

ead and added an@iously, EHou can’t #eold%’

E6o, I’ not cold.’ 0id he not sense theeason for her state% But then he hiself

eained so cal, so devoid of eotion.&e was aing for the lawn, #or-dered onwo sides #y tall flowering gus, darly tched against the purple sy. ;verheadhe constellations flared across the great

oe of the heavens - the 2ily Fay,owdery and trailing, lie soe flowingransparent veil, and the ore vivid $outh-rn >ross, spread-eagled and fla#oyant.

!ro across the wide and silent veld a tangf lush grasses, watered #y the recent rains,rifted on the gently-oving air. They rossed the lawn, still in wordless silence,

aing for the shadowed grove where highoplars grew, and eucalyptus trees and



57 +

cru#-oas. Teri felt shy and #reathless,nd profoundly aware of the oveent of

Brand’s fingers on her waist - failiar and

ossessive, Dust as if he considered he hadvery right to caress her #ody if he so

wished.EFhere are we going%’ The darness was

nfolding her in its ystery. &er questionwent unanswered Brand’s ars wentound her as he stopped, and she eltednto the, unresistingly, lifting her face inhe darness. &is outh e@plored, tender,

aressing, yet wholly asterful and de-anding, #efore her lips were found and

ossessed in a long and ardent iss.EI suppose it isn’t the tie to #e thin-

ng of our own happiness,’ he said when atast he drew his lips fro hers. E6ot withon and =inda, #eing in such a plight. Butou, Teri you ust have #een worrying#out your future% Fell, I’ not havinghat, #ecause there’s no need - not if your



53 +

eelings for e are what I thin they are.’&e stopped, and once again she felt hisouth on hers. EHou now what I have to

ay, don’t you, darling%’Teri’s heart soared, yet in the idst of

er own Doy she pictured her #rother and=inda, in there, dancing, holding each oth-

r ... and not daring to voice what was inheir hearts.

EHes, I thin I now what you’re going toay,’ she returned shyly, glad of the shad-ws which hid her rising colour.

E2y own love’ &e swept her close, intohe hard strength of his ars, and sheensed his ardour even #efore his passion-te iss aroused her own desires. EHou who

an away fro e all the tie. 0id younow how tantaliing that was%’ he dean-ed, holding her fro hi and giving her attle shae. EFell%’



58 +

EI never eant to #e tantaliing,’ shenswered unsteadily. EI didn’t want any-hing to do with en, that was all.’

EAnd now% But I haven’t ased you toarry e, have I% 0ear, sweet Teri, will

ou%’EBrand* Teri*’ The frantic voice #e-

onged to =inda, $he was racing across theawn, looing all a#out her. EFhere areou%’ she so##ed. E;h, where can they #e*’

E&ere’ $wiftly Brand left Teri’s side,eeting his cousin as she stepped off the

awn. E!or heaven’s sae, what’s wrong%’EGon%’ cried Teri, going pale.

$oething’s happened to hi%’EFendy,’ gasped =inda, #ursting into

ears. E$he’s gone*’EFendy%’ The last vestige of colour left

Teri’s face. EBut where%’E;h, Brand, is it - is it a - a ritual

urder%’ =inda shuddered and put herands to her face she was alost in a state



5+ +

f collapse, #ut Teri could not ove toofort her #ecause her legs refused tounction.

E0on’t #e silly,’ snapped Brand, percep-ion instantly dawning. E1ull yourself to-ether and e@plain*’

EBeth cae to find Gon - she left the

ouse only for a inute, she said, and oner return Fendy was gone.’

EFhere’s Gon now%’ $o cal his voiceTeri looed swiftly at hi, seeing a heavy rown, and a harshness a#out his outh,

ut no sign of [email protected]&e’s gone hoe, to organie a search.

&e told e to find you two, and then tohone the police.’ Tears streaed down her

ace and Teri’s own eyes had filled up, #ut,lancing again at Brand, she found herself hining of an altogether different idnap-ing fro that on which =inda’s ind still#viously dwelt.



59 +

E)osalind*’ Brand was already stridingowards the lighted #uilding fro which hend Teri had so recently eerged. E$he was

taying at the hotel here%’EFas. . .%’ Teri nodded. EHou thin%’EI’ sure. $he’s aing a #id to get

Fendy out of the country.’

Telling the two girls to wait on the ver-ndah he went inside, returning in a#outive inutes with the inforation that head phoned )osalind’s hotel.

E$he #ooed out an hour and a half ago,’Brand told the. EThe receptionist heard

er tell the ta@i driver to tae her to Jar-nda !ar.’

Teri’s #row furrowed in a frown. Al-

hough she, lie Brand, had nown in-tinctively that )osalind was at the #ottof Fendy’s disappearance she had

wondered how )osalind could have dis-overed that Gon and Teri would not #e atoe this evening.



5 +

E&ow did she now we’d #e out%’ she in-uired of Brand, and he went on to say thate had also ade inquiries at the clu#.

EA strange woan cae in this after-oon saying she had heard there was to #edance here this evening. $he ased if you

nd Gon were e#ers and naturally was

old yes. $he then ased if you would #e at-ending the dance and was infored thatou #oth had #ought ticets. $he ight notave #een a#solutely sure that you’d use

hose ticets, #ut she had nothing to lose in

oing to Jarunda to find out.’EBeth was tre#ling - with fright,’ inter-

ened =inda thoughtfully. E$he seeeduilty, and afraid of punishent. Hou

now, I have a feeling she was away uchonger than the inute, as she so firly sserted.’

Teri was a#out to relate her own i-ressions, and her reluctance to coe outhis evening, #ut Brand was saying,



5 +

EGon can question her when we get #ac o Jarunda. =inda, start the car up andurn it round ready for when I coe out.

’ve got the putting a call through to theirport for e &ere is Andrew. Hou’rehrough%’ he ased as the an cae to-

wards hi fro the direction of the sall

ounge along at the far end of the verandah.EHes, sir, you can tae the call in the

ounge it’s epty.’EThan you.’There was no flight until twelve-thirty

he following day, Brand told Teri and=inda as he slid #ehind the wheel a few inutes later. EI’ve warned the authoritieshat a woan ight #e trying to tae a

hild out of the country without her father’sonsent - so that’s that as far as )osalind’soncerned. $he’s wasted her tie.’ &isoice was harsh and grating ... so very dif-erent fro the tenderness ft contained sohort a tie ago.



55 +

EFhat I can’t understand,’ said Teri,ringing up soething that had puleder fro the oent she suspected )os-

lind of having taen Fendy away, Eis how he anaged to persuade Fendy to go wither. Fendy wouldn’t have anything to do

with her when she cae to Jarunda that

ay.’EFell, she did persuade her, o#viously.’

Brand was driving away fro the clu#,eaving the lights #ehind as they proceededeyond the outsirts of ;asville and too

he dar road towards the open country.Already Gon had rounded up the #oys and

s the great white car crunched to a halt hewas giving the orders to fan out so that as

wide an area as possi#le could #e covered.&e stood on the stoep, shouting the in-tructions, and in the light fro the laps

Teri saw how grey and drawn his face was.&e looed twenty years older than whenhe last saw hi only an hour or so ago.



5: +

EThan Lod you’ve coe,’ he #egan.That aes three ore. =inda, did youing the police, as I told you to%’

E>al down, Gon.’ Brand’s cool and con-ident voice cut hi short. E0id it not occuro you that your wife ight #e at the #ac f this%’ &e spoe soothingly now, as to a

all child, alost.E)osalind%’ Gon was daed he thrust a

haing hand through his hair. EHou thin he she%’ &e could not go on and, ov-ng swiftly, Teri was at his side, her co-orting hand covering his as it lay restingn the rail.

EIt’s clear that )osalind’s taen Fendy,’Brand was saying, and to her relief Teri saw

little of the strain leave her #rother’s face.Brand iediately went on to e@plain e@-

ctly what he had done, and that there waso flight until after lunchtie the followingay. Gon sagged on hearing this, #ut still



54 +

tared, as if una#le to shae off his daedondition.

E$o you see,’ put in Teri, E)osalind can’t

ossi#ly tae Fendy out of the country #e-ause, as Brand’s Dust said, he phoned theirport and warned the officials that thehild ust not leave without your peris-

ion. Fe’ll go to the airport toorrow - I’llo with you, Gon or perhaps you’d ratherave Brand. Hes,’ she went on gently, Ethat

will #e #etter, I thin. &e can drive #ecause’ sure you won’t #e fit to do so.’ Auto-

atically she cast an appealing glance atBrand, who siled reassuringly at her #e-ore saying to Gon,

EFe’ll go in y car,’ and, turning, he

isissed the #oys, who had #een standinghere, otionless and silent, wondering

what this conversation was all a#out.Hou’d #etter go inside, Gon,’ he then ad-ised. EHou’ve had a nasty shoc.’ Brand



:7 +

lanced at Teri. E&e needs a drin - a strongne.’

$he nodded in agreeent and preceded

he two en into the house, followed #y =inda, silent and withdrawn.

6aturally the conversation centred on)osalind and her action in taing Fendy

ff without her father’s consent, Gon e@-ressing the sae puleent as Teri as toow his wife had persuaded the child to go

with her.EFendy sleeps e@treely heavily, and

’ wondering if she didn’t waen prop-rly.’ Teri cast a glance at her #rother she

wondered why the idea had not pre-viously ccurred to her. EI thin that could #e the

@planation, don’t you% 0o you ree#erow, if you too her out and stayed at your

riends longer than usual, Fendy would goo sleep and you could carry her to the car

without her waening%’



:3 +

EHes.’ &e nodded reiniscently. EI couldlso lift her out when we got hoe, andarry her upstairs and still she slept.’

EThat sees a feasi#le e@planation,’ in-erposed Brand, then added, EI wonder

what will happen when she does eventually wae%’

EI iagine )osalind will have trou#le,’was Gon’s swift and gri reply. EFendy has

rare teper -although you haven’t evereen it.’ &is eyes, still showing evidence of hat early haunted loo despite the confid-

nce he had derived fro Brand’s iper-ur#a#le anner and fir assertion that all

would #e well, strayed to =inda and aender glance passed #etween hi and the

irl he now loved. E&ave another drin,’ herged in gentle tones. EHou too had a scare.’

=inda forced a sile.E$o did Teri. I’ve never seen anyone lose

olour so swiftly. ;nly Brand appeareduite cool and in coand of his feelings.’



:8 +

EAnd the situation,’ added Gon with arateful glance in his direction. E;nce again

we’re inde#ted to you, Brand.’

At that a strange sile hovered onBrand’s lips - not that failiar quir, #utoething soft and tender and even orettractive. It #rought a charing hint of

olour to Teri’s chees as she received theessage and her swift glance passed to Gon

nd then to =inda, neither of who hadoticed anything for they seeed to #e

wrapped up in one another. It’s all in the

aily, Brand was saying, while aloud, heassed over Gon’s words #y suggesting heend for Beth. This Gon did at once, tellingaru to fetch her. Feeping loudly she ad-

itted - after severe questioning - that shead #een away fro the hoestead for#out an hour. It was Brand who did theuestioning, for Gon was #eing far too ild

with the woan, and even after her adis-ion he seeed not to have the strength to



:+ +

hastise her, his nerves still not fully re-overed fro the Dolt they had received.

But Brand ade up for this and even Teri

elt sorry for Beth #y the tie he had fin-shed with her and given her perission toeave.

=inda cae over with Brand the follow-

ng orning. $he had not slept, #ut neitherad Teri Gon also looed haggard and only

Brand seeed cool, and Teri new that inhe ain it would #e he who would handlehe situation when they reached the air-

ort. &e was so efficient, so relia#le, andor a oent Teri allowed herself theleasure of dwelling on having hi for aus#and. &e would #e there always to

ooth her path, to treat with aused con-ept the pro#les which fro tie toie ust assuredly coe their way. &e

would #e her prop, her secure anchor, heraven in all stors. And suddenly with awitch of thought she saw Jep, and sent



:9 +

p a little prayer for what she had escaped. and for what she had found.

EHou don’t ind if I stay here%’ =inda

poe as she got out of the car. EI can’t #ey yself.’

E6or can I, so I’ glad you’ve coe. If ou hadn’t then I should have coe over to

ou.’Gon was already taing =inda’s place in

he car it slid off the dusty yard and theirls watched it until it was out of sight, o#-cured #y the #elt of trees along the riveran.

EI wonder if this will ae any differ-nce to Gon’s decision%’ =inda spoe as if he had to, as if she could not reain si-

ent, awaiting the slow passage of tie un-il the en returned.

E>oe on inside,’ invited Teri, for shewas una#le to coent on what =inda hadaid. As far as she could see the positionetween her #rother and his wife re-



: +

ained unaltered #y this escapade of )os-lind’s. $he was dooed to failure regard-ng it on the other hand the fact that she

ad endeavoured to get possession of herhild ust go in her favour should Gon de-ide to divorce her. Gon would thin of this,nd so ight allow it to influence hi in fa-

our of taing )osalind #ac. &ow rightBrand was when he said that arriage was

vital step, and that one had to #e so very ure. 0ivorce ight #e easy these days, #uthe coplications reained where children

were involved. EI’ll ae soe coffee.’ $heanaged a sile for =inda as, slipping her

r around her shoulders, she led her uphe steps of the #ac stoep and into the

ounge. EI don’t e@pect you’ve had any reafast%’

EI couldn’t eat anything.’ =inda’s #igrown eyes were glaed and tired. They sed always to #e laughing, Teri recollec-

ed, sighing deeply.



: +

EI haven’t had anything either, so we’llave soe toast with our coffee.’

EI couldn’t, Teri.’ 1leading the tone and

dged with tears. EGon will go #ac to )os-lind - I’ sure of it. )osalind wants herhild this action of hers has proved it, soon will feel he ust go #ac.’

Gon has confidently asserted that )os-lind was #luffing, #ut naturally Teri couldot ention this to =inda, uch as she de-ired to cofort her, and give her hope.

ETry not to thin a#out it, =inda’ Teri

hoo her head sadly. EI suppose I’ tal-ng stupidly you ust thin a#out it. I’ll gond ae the coffee,’ she added, feelingelpless and inadequate. EAnd you ust

ave soething to eat.’EHou’ve #een through all this,’ =inda

aid uch later as they sat over theirecond cup of coffee. EFith your fiance, I

ean. Hou now the eptiness of losingoeone you love.’



:5 +

EHou haven’t lost Gon,’ Teri gently re-inded her.

=inda looed up, sheer isery in her

yes.EI have, Teri I now it. &e isn’t for e.’

he put her cup down and #urst into tears.Fendy, too - she will go away and I’ll nev-

r see her again. I never thought I couldare for anyone else’s child the way I careor Fendy. I thought she was adora#le theirst tie I set eyes on her.’

A sall silence followed =inda was

earching for a handerchief and Teri rosend went to fetch one fro her #edroo.

E0on’t cry, =inda. I - I don’t now whato say to you - only that Gon loves you and

hat ust surely influence hi. . . .’ $heailed off, fully aware that no atter how reat his love for =inda Gon would neverut his own happiness #efore that of hishild.



:: +

E&e’ll consider Fendy first,’ said =inda,s though reading her copanion’shoughts. EI wouldn’t have it otherwise, and

et ;h, Teri, what can I do% &ow did Ioe to care lie this%’

)ising again, Teri put her ars arounder, speaing soothingly even while her

wn heart seeed to #e seared in two. &ow ould she and Brand #e happy if =inda andon were to live out their lives in isery%

E=inda dear, wait and see what happens.After all, you’re only surising - Duping

o conclusions.’ Teri’s gentle soothingones, and the cofort of her ars, hadheir effect and =inda stopped crying andried her eyes.

E=et’s get soe wor done,’ she sugges-ed. EIt’ll help to ae the tie pass oreuicly. $hall I do the dishes, or the tidyingp in here%’



:4 +

It was four o’cloc #efore the car caep the Jarunda driveway #oth girls weren the stoep, their hearts #eating wildly.

E$he’s with the*’ e@claied Teri, run-ing down the steps. EThan Lod*’

E=ittle 0ainty,’ #reathed =inda, follow-ng swiftly in Teri’s wae. EAll safe and

ound.’ Fendy had #ounded fro the car the

oent it stopped and, still clad in pyDa-as and the coat which her other hadaen fro the wardro#e, she flung herself

nto Teri’s ars.EAuntie Teri* I’ve #een a long way. Fhy

id you go out and leave e% I told you Iidn’t lie #eing in #y yself. I didn’t wae

p - and I was stole*’ $he clung tightly, herrs round her aunt’s nec, and chatteredn, o#viously no worse for her adventure. EI

was stole,’ she repeated awfully, givingtress to her words #y turning her head tooo at the other three in turn. EGust lie the



47 +

ttle princess you read e a#out, do youee#er% $he was asleep as well, #ut she

was stole #y fairies, and it was e@citing. But

t was y uy who stole e’EHou weren’t really stolen, darling,’ Teri

elt forced to say, #ut Fendy interrupteder.

EI was stole* And I didn’t lie it. I woep in a #ig #ed in a #ig roo, and 2uy

was in the #ed. I was frightened and criedor you and y daddy. 2uy got cross,o I iced and screaed and ran a#out all

ver the #edroo. And then a an caend said if I didn’t #e quiet e and

2uy would have to leave that place #e-ause every#ody was #eing waened up. I

cried and told the an I wanted y daddy nd he started asing 2uy questionsnd she got angry with hi so they had aig quarrel, and the an said he wouldave to fetch a policean #ecause I told



43 +

i I was stole fro y daddy anduntie ;oh, I a hungry*’

/veryone laughed - #ut it was the way

on laughed that caused Teri’s eyes towiden and ove fro hi to =inda.

ELo and get dressed,’ Gon said as Fendy was released fro her aunt’s ars. EThen

ou can have your tea.’ETea%’ she flashed indignantly. EI haven’t

ad y lunch yet. Hou and Cncle Brandwouldn’t stop when I wanted you to - andhe chocolate you gave e wasn’t enough.’

EFe told you that Auntie Teri andAuntie =inda would #e waiting, and worry-ng a#out you....’ Gon tailed off, his eyesender as his daughter went to =inda and,

aing hold of her hand, put it to her chee.E$hall I help her to dress%’ >learly =inda

wanted to get away, #efore the full e@plana-ion was given, #ut Gon shoo his head,elling Fendy once again to go and getressed.



48 +

EAll right. &ave I got to wash y face aswell%’

E;f course. 0on’t you always wash your

ace #efore you get dressed%’$he nodded, proised not to have a

ine’ and trotted away in the direction of he stoep.

EIf I can help her%’ =inda #egan, thentopped as she also noticed the e@pressionn, Gon’s face.

E6o, dear stay and listen. There’s noth-ng you won’t lie to hear.’

E6-nothing%’ $he tre#led slightly. EGonare you%’

E=oo,’ interrupted Brand, Eif you wantTeri and e to #u off%’ &e looed at

er and held out his hand. EFe will,’ he de-ided, and she put her hand in his and they

waled away, towards the river, leaving Goniling and =inda staringncoprehendingly.



4+ +

EFhat happened%’ Teri ased, glancingp at Brand. E)osalind didn’t get as far ashe airport, apparently% $he couldn’t pos-

i#ly have, seeing as Fendy’s still in heryDaas.’

E6o, she never ade the airport, andeither did we. I stopped on the way and

on phoned to see if she had #ooed theeats. They were already alerted, #y y hone call of last night, #ut it so happenedhat the anager of the hotel where )os-lind was staying, trou#led #y the fuss

Fendy was aing, telephoned the police,who iediately contacted the airport to

iscover whether )osalind had #ooedeats on today’s plane. $he had, late last

ight, so they ept her and Fendy at theotel, giving the airport police the addressnd telling the to send Gon along when herrived at the airport. Fell, we had no needo go to the airport and we iediately

ade for the hotel.’ &e stopped, and



49 +

iled faintly. EFas Fendy glad to see herather* And he to see her you’d havehought they’d #een parted for wees.’

E)osalind - what had she to say%’E6ot very uch she seeed resigned -

nd thoroughly disgusted with her daugh-er. $he and Gon went off to tal privately,

ut weren’t gone very long. )osalind her-elf wanted a divorce, Gon told e after-

wards. It sees he had called her #luff overhe possession of Fendy, saying he was de-erined to divorce )osalind and allow theourt to give the custody to the parent

who they decided was ost suita#le. $heidn’t want Fendy if she couldn’t have Gons well,’ Brand added alost harshly. EAnd

he told hi so - ost definitely, so there’lle no trou#le. Fendy stays with herather.’

Teri was silent, una#le to spea for awhile, so great was her relief. $he andBrand had reached the #ridge over the



4 +

iver and they crossed it and waled to-wards >andida =odge.

EHou’re sure a#out )osalind%’ she said at

ast, sudden panic seiing her. E$he’ll nothange her ind a#out claiing Fendy,ean%’

&e shoo his head ephatically.

EAs I’ve said, she was thoroughly disgus-ed with the child’s #ehaviour she realiedhe’d lost her love. $he told Gon that sheever wanted to see either her or higain, so that also disposes of the possi#il-ty of her wanting Fendy for holidays. 1er-onally, I don’t thin it will #e long #efore

)osalind finds herself a new hus#and.he’s the type who ust have a an.’

Teri’s colour rose at this #ald iplica-ion and Brand quired a sile at her.

EHou told Gon a#out us, evidently,’ sheurured, swiftly changing the su#Dect.

E&e had #egun to suspect, so wasn’t toourprised.’



4 +

E=inda looed surprised when wewaled off - hand in hand.’

E$he won’t #e surprised any longer. Gon

will have told her we’re going to #earried.’

Teri shone up at hi and he stopped,aing her into his ars and issing her

ently on the outh.EI’ so glad for =inda,’ she said, as they

trolled on again, through the lovely gar-ens of >andida =odge, E$he’s terri#ly in

ove with Gon.’

E$o it sees,’ and then, drily, E0oeshere happen to #e another girl aroundhese parts who is terri#ly in love%’

$he laughed #ut returned provocatively,

EI don’t now why I a, #ecause youwere horrid to e at first.’

EI lie that* Hou yourself had your ownarticular #rand of repellent acidity*’

They had alost reached the house.Against the tall coluns #ougainvillea



45 +

ioted, while close #y aaleas and poinset-ias and caellias #laed #eneath a clear

etallic sy.

EFas I very - awful%’ she ased, peepingt hi fro under long curling lashes.

EHour anners were revolting. I wantedo #eat you especially that day when you

ave e such sauce Dust #ecause I rescuedou fro that tractor.’

EI had every e@cuse,’ she protested. EHouwere highhanded and doineering and -

nd insuffera#le*’

EHou said all that at the tie, so it wouldppear that your anners haven’t i-roved. I can foresee trou#le for you, y irl, once I have you safely arried.’ But

is e@pression #elied his words and in aoent she had elted into his ars and

is lips found her in a long and tender iss.&ow long, y sweet love, #efore I haveou safely arried%’

$he looed up, faintly trou#led.



4: +

EFe’ll have to wait for Gon’s divorce. Ian’t leave hi and Fendy.’

EGon ased e how I’d feel if =inda too

ver - during the daytie, of course. &enows I won’t wait’

E&e does%’E;f course. I told hi I wouldn’t,’ re-

urned Brand alost iperiously. E&e thenuggested =inda’s going over to Jarundaach orning and coing #ac here toleep. It sees a good arrangeent to e,nd I told hi so. Hou ight as well say ou’ll arry e right away, y love, #e-ause I have a feeling that you’re going toe turned out of Jarunda !ar.’

E$o it sees,’ she agreed, siling quite

appily at the idea. E$o I’ve no alternativehan to arry you - right away.’

Brand laughed and drew her close, intois strong ars, and she felt also thetrength of his lips, possessive yet tender,nd copelling in a way that awaened her



44 +

wn desires. And it was a long while #eforee released her, saying,

EI’ve #rought you over here so that we

an have tea together, Dust the two of us, inur own hoe.’ &is hand slid down, clasp-ng hers, and they waled the rest of thehort distance to the house. And across the

cented garden, over the still clear air,ae the #aring of a dog . . . and a child’sappy, contented laughter.

Anne Hampson - Enchanted Dawn

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