The pool of St Branok

But our stay was brief. I told the Captain that was a matter of great regret. He smiled at me and said: "The object, my dear young lady, is to get you to Melbourne as fast as we can. We stop at these places only to load stores."

Gervaise said: "It is probably as well that our stays are brief. It makes us appreciate it all the more."

He was determined to enjoy every moment and I wondered briefly whether in his heart he doubted whether we would come out with the gold which would change our fortunes and how he would adapt to the life of a miner. If he did he never showed it. I had learned a great deal about him since our marriage but there was still a great deal to discover.

I remember Durban—the capital of Natal—which had recently become a British colony. It was a very beautiful town right on the coast and there was something very exciting in the sight of the waves breaking on the shore.

But perhaps what makes that time stand out so vividly in my memory was what happened aboard.

I had thought Morwenna looked a little tired and when we returned to our cabins she said she would lie down. I had a feeling that there was something on her mind and I sought an early opportunity of talking to her.

That opportunity came after we had left Durban, from which we sailed at midnight. We were sitting on deck together. The sea was calm; there was not even a ripple on the water; it was the color of translucent jade with here and there a touch of aquamarine.

I glanced at her sideways; she was pale and there were shadows under her eyes.

"Morwenna," I said, "is something wrong?"

"No, no," she replied sharply. "What should be?"

"I thought you looked a little ... strained."

"Strained? You mean tired?"

"Yes ... as if something is worrying you."

She was silent for a few moments, then she said: "I'm very happy, Angelet. I don't think I have ever been so happy. The only thing that makes it less perfect is that Ma and Pa are not here. I think they were very worried about my going."

"Naturally they would be uneasy. They have adored you all your life. But it is always like that with families. The children grow up and marry and lead their own lives. I daresay my parents felt the same as yours."

"I know."

"That isn't what is worrying you."

"I'm not worried, Angelet, I'm very happy."

"Then what are you trying to tell me?"

"I thought you might guess. I am going to have a baby."

"Morwenna!"

"Yes." She was smiling. "I think it is what I have always wanted. A little baby ... all my own ... and Justin's too."

"What does Justin say?"

"He doesn't know. That's what makes me a little worried. That strain you detected. I am a little anxious. He is so enjoying all this. I didn't want to spoil it for him."

"Do you think he would not want a child?"

"Oh no ... He hasn't said anything like that. But you see we are going to this new country and we don't know what we are going to find. He would be worried about me ... and the baby."

"That will be all right. They have midwives there and doctors surely."

"Yes, I suppose so."

"It's wonderful. Oh, Morwenna, I can't imagine you with a baby. You make me feel envious."

"I suppose you'll have a baby one day."

"Yes, I suppose so. And Justin doesn't know?"

"Not yet. You see, / knew before we left. At least I suspected. I thought if I told anyone it might spoil things. Mother and Pa would have put their feet down firmly and my father can be very persistent when he wants to. They would never have let me come away if they had known. They would have wanted me to go back to Pencarron and have the child."

"Well, I can understand that."

"Justin would have been so worried. He had to go on this venture. I knew it. He is so enthusiastic ... so sure that it is going to make our fortunes."

"Just like Gervaise."

"You would have done the same if you had been in my position, Angelet."

"Yes, I suppose I might. But there is no need to keep it secret any longer. You're here on this ship. It isn't going to make any difference now. We are going on."

"Yes," she said. "But I don't want to worry Justin."

"He has got to share in this. Besides, you ought to be taking special care, oughtn't you? We shall have to cosset you a bit now."

"I'm so glad you know."

"I reckon we should tell the men."

"All right. Let's do that. I'll tell Justin first ... when we are alone."

"And have I your permission to tell Gervaise?"

"Of course."

When I told him he was amused. "Well, fancy that," he said. "She's stolen a march on us."

"She is very happy about the baby. She is so good and unselfish. She doesn't think about going into what might well prove to be a primitive place. All she thought about was spoiling Justin's pleasure in all this."

"Yes, she's a good girl. Justin is lucky. We are both lucky."

That evening we celebrated. Justin was delighted; and I had never seen Morwenna so happy. Her first thought was that no one at home should know until the baby was born, for she was sure her parents would be very worried at the thought of her far from home at such a time.