The Long Journey. Susan Wright
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and Sarah bathed her. By the third night Too Gum said, ‘I think now fever reach its height, it go either way, we have to just wait.’
Katherine tossed and turned and appeared to be burning up. By the morning her breathing became more regular and she became much calmer. Sarah and Helmut had sat on either side of the bed all night and during that time Sarah had observed Helmut, watching every move that Katherine made and she thought, I wonder if she loves him as much as he obviously loves her.
Katherine slowly opened her eyes and gave a weak smile. ‘How long have I been sick?’ she asked in barely a whisper.
‘You have sick for a few days my dear, but the main thing is you are better. Would you like something to drink?’
‘Yes, please.’
It was then that she noticed Sarah. ‘Sarah, how nice, have you been here with me all the time?’
‘Nearly all the time Mrs Kruger, I’m so pleased that you are better.’
‘Enough talking for now, you just get as much rest as you can. I have to go and thank a certain small Chinese man for saving my wife.’
Katherine smiled. All the time during the terrible journey home she knew if she could just make it back to the house and Too Gum’s care she would be all right. Sarah gave her something to drink and straightened the bed clothes and Katherine went into a peaceful sleep.
When she awoke much later in the day Sarah was sitting beside the bed just quietly reading. ‘Sarah I hope your parents don’t mind you being here all this time.’
‘Oh, you are awake again. No they don’t mind at all they said to stay as long as I was needed.’
‘I think I would like to sit in the chair by the fire. Would you get my dressing gown out the wardrobe for me Sarah?’
‘Of course, here let me help you. Just take it very quietly otherwise I will have Too Gum growling at me for tiring out his patient.’
‘Then we would both be in ‘velly’ much trouble.’
They both laughed at this and slowly Katherine moved to the chair. Sarah now took advantage of this and changed the bedding. When she had done this Katherine asked,
‘Where have you been sleeping while I have been ill?’
‘Don’t worry about me. I slept either on the mat in front of the fire or in one of the chairs.’
‘That’s terrible Sarah, you mean you have not had a proper sleep all that time.’
‘As I said you have no need to worry about me. At home I share a small double bed with my two sisters so the armchair was comfortable compared to that.’
Katherine suddenly had an idea. ‘Sarah would you like to stay on for a while at least until I am fully recovered?’
‘Of course I would.’
‘Well, you go home and check with your parents and if they agree bring back your things and you can have the room next door.’
‘You mean a whole room, just for me.’
‘Would you like that Sarah?’
Katherine had no need of an answer just the look on her face told her all she needed to know. That night for the first time in her life Sarah not only had an entire bed to herself but an entire room. Compared to Katherine’s room next door it was quite small but to Sarah it was enormous. Helmut had not minded Sarah moving in, anything that would make Katherine happy was agreeable with him.
Over the next few days Katherine regained her strength and was ready to come down stairs again for the evening meal. Helmut looked at her and said, ‘You have no idea how happy it makes me to have you well again.’
‘Thank you for all your care. You must be tired. Trying to run a farm and take care of me.’
‘Quite frankly Katherine the farm meant nothing to me while you were sick. If anything had of happened to you I would have walked away from it.’
She looked at him and smiled. ‘You are a good kind man Helmut I’m sure I don’t deserve you.’ If only I could get up now and go and wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him as I know I should. But I can’t do it she thought. How long will I have to carry this terrible burden of guilt? To change the subject she said, ‘I think I will be strong enough to begin the school next week.’
‘I really think you need more rest.’
‘Well, I thought that maybe I would start with just a half day for the first week.’
‘Only on the condition that you come home if you feel tired.’
‘I’m sure Sarah will be a big help.’
‘She seems to have fitted in quite well, don’t you think.’
‘Yes she has, and I think Too Gum enjoys her company. He doesn’t seem to mind having her share meals with him in the kitchen.’
‘You just keep her as long as you want, we will work out a suitable wage for her.’
By the end of the week Katherine was up all day and had begun her daily walks again and was feeling ready to begin the school. Word was sent through Sarah to the families in the valley that school would begin the following Monday morning.
Katherine rose early that morning and dressed ready for school. She put on a plain dark skirt and a white blouse and then pinned on a cameo brooch at the neck. Then she put on matching earrings. She surveyed her appearance in the mirror and decided to take off the earrings. They are a bit too frivolous she thought. After all I am supposed to be a teacher not going to a ladies tea party.
It had been decided that she would take the canary and leave him in the class. He might enjoy the company of the children she reasoned. She had asked Too Gum to pack her some cocoa, milk, sugar and enough mugs for each child. This was all done and ready for her. So with her books in a satchel in one hand and the canary in the other and Sarah carrying the mugs they set off for the first day at school. They walked down the hill past the farm sheds. The men now nodded and said ‘Good morning,’ to her which was an improvement on the first day she had ventured down when they had seemed afraid of her.
It was heart warming to see all the children standing waiting at the gate. All that is except the Brown boys. She did not know whether to be happy or sad about that. The children were all obviously a little nervous as they stood waiting at the gate. It was also apparent that their mothers had put quite a bit of effort into getting them ready. Each one stood with their hair neatly done, the girls with theirs in neat plaits while the boys looked a little self conscious with hair that was tidy instead of messy as was the usual way of things on the farm. The girls were wearing clean white aprons and each child carried a satchel of some sort. One of the men had found a school bell and it was in place by the door. Someone else had painted a sign saying ‘SCHOOL’ and it had been hung above the door.
‘Good morning children. We will just take these things indoors and prepare for class. When Sarah rings the bell would you all line up from the smallest to the oldest in that order.’
She went inside to find Fred stoking the fire.
‘Good morning Mrs Kruger. I hope you don’t mind me coming in to light the fire?’
‘Of course not Fred, it is delightful to come in and to find it so lovely and warm, where did this mat come from?’
‘My Mrs thought you might like it for in front of the fire.’
‘That is so kind of her. The children can sit there when I read them a story.’
Little did she know at that time what else was to happen on that mat that was to alter her entire life.
‘Well I will be on my way then. If you like I will light the fire each morning.’
‘Thank you Fred, that is most kind and please, thank your wife for the mat.’
She