Midsummer's Eve

"Helena's husband is away. He's collecting material for a book on convicts and transportation.”

"Then he will not be coming home now?”

"No," said Helena. "He will be staying awhile. But I and Jonnie will go with Annora.”

"Could you be ready to leave the day after tomorrow?”

"Yes, yes, I could," she answered.

Jonnie was holding out his hands to me. I took him from his mother and rocked him in my arms. He laughed and pulled at my short hair. I was aware of Rolf, gazing at us intently.

Maud came out to see what was happening.

"Oh, Maud," I cried, "this is a friend of mine who has come to take us back to England.”

She came forward smiling, holding out her hand. I introduced them.

Rolf said: "I wasn't sure whether to write, but letters take so long. I thought the best thing was to come out as soon as possible. It takes a long time to come from the other side of the world. But at last I got here.”

"You're very welcome," said Maud.

"Mr. Hanson will be here for two nights," I said.

I was thinking that there were two rooms which had been left just as they were-my parents' and Jacco's. I had asked that this should be so. I did not want anyone to touch any of their things and I did not feel capable of doing it myself just yet.

Maud seemed to follow my thoughts. She said: "The baby could go in with his mother and that would leave the nursery free.”

"Yes, Maud. Thanks.”

"I daresay you could do with something to drink," said Maud practically, "and to eat too, no doubt.”

He agreed. "It's thirsty riding.”

"Come along in, Rolf," I said. "How did you find your way?”

"I knew the address because my father had done considerable business with this place.

I was given careful instructions in Sydney. I found the inns where I stayed the nights.

Everyone was very helpful.”

We went into the living room. "So this is where you have been staying." He turned to me with concern. "You've been ill, Annora.”

"Yes, very ill. I had some sort of fever. That's why they cut my hair.”

"It's becoming. It makes you look unusual.”

"You'll get used to it. Oh, Rolf, I'm so glad you came. I'm longing to get home.”

"I was afraid that I was going to miss you. I thought you might have started off already.”

"No, because I was ill for so long. It has left me limp and easily tired. They didn't think I was fit to make the journey.”

"It's hard travelling. You're thinner.”

"Considerably.”

"You'll be better when you get home.”

"Nothing is going to be the same again.”

"No. It's a fresh start though, Annora.”

Maud was already setting out food. I sat with him while he ate. Maud came in and out with the food. She seemed as though she could not do enough to please him. I knew she was delighted with him because he had come to take me away. Moreover I think she was deciding he was the one for me.

I really felt I loved him then. He was like a saviour. He was different in every way from Gregory Donnelly; yet not less a man.

I said: "They are putting you in the nursery.”

"I suppose there is not much room here.”

"There are two rooms which I haven't let them touch yet. Their things are there-my parents' and Jacco's.”

"I understand," he said. "They'll have to be cleared out before we go. Perhaps I can do it.”

"No, I will. It is just that I couldn't bring myself to before.”

"It's understandable. My poor, dearest Annora. How you must have suffered.”

When he had eaten I took him to the room which would be his for the two nights he would be here. Maud had already taken out Jonnie's cot and put up the bed.

"It's only for two nights," I said.

"It will be absolute comfort after those inns.”

"Rolf, it was so good of you to come.”

"I had to, Annora. I thought of you all alone ... without them. I'm so glad I found you. I pictured myself arriving to find you gone.”

"I expect I should have gone but for my illness.”

Maud came in with hot water for him to wash. He had brought a small bag with him and I left him to change.

It was later when he met Gregory Donnelly.

They stood face to face and I was aware of a certain bristling resentment in Gregory and a curiosity in Rolf.

Rolf carried off the situation with a good grace.

"Rolf Hanson has come to escort us home," I explained.

"You've come a long way," commented Gregory.

"I regret I did not get here earlier. One just can't step on to a ship without formalities.

Arrangements have to be made. My great fear was that I should arrive to find Miss Cadorson had left.”

"How did you get out to the property?”

"On horseback. I had instructions and stayed at the two inns on he way-the only two, I fancy.”

"Oh, the accommodation houses. I know them well. You didn't lose your way?”

"I came near to it once or twice, but I had very good instructions nd was given a rough map which was of inestimable worth.”

Gregory was a little taken aback. Rolf had an easy manner. The difference in them, I decided, was that Gregory felt he had to be (constantly reminding people of his superiority; Rolf didn't have to; it »j obvious.

"When do you propose to go back?" asked Gregory.