by Mary Moore
It was easy to see that there was a real bond of affection between the twins and their uncle. Also they shared a strong family re-semblance. The three of them had the same startling blue eyes and dark good looks.
As they finished the meal a telephone rang somewhere in the house.
Excuse me,' said Mark to Judy. You twins off to bed. There's school in the morning. Look sharp now,' and he went through to answer the telephone.
Judy started to clear the plates away to the sink.
We'll help you do the dishes, Judy,' offered Vicki happily.
No, we won't,' said Peter. Uncle Mark said we were to go to bed and he meant it Good night, Judy. I'm glad we got someone nice like you.'
Oh, so am I. I love having someone pretty and young. You ought to have seen the last one. A proper old bag, she was.' Vicki giggled at Judy's shocked face. Good night, Judy,' and she danced and whirled out through the door before Judy could think of admonishing her.
Judy cleared the table, then found some soap powder. She had half finished the dishes by the time Mark came back. He stood looking at her with a thoughtful expression on his face.
Judy became restless under his penetrating
gaze. She felt her face flush. What's the matter with me ? Have I got a smudge on my face ?'
' Oh no, your face is quite beautiful,' answered Mark, reaching for a tea towel. Just thinking what a lovely sight it is to see someone else washing the dishes.'
Have you been without a housekeeper long ?' asked Judy.
Long enough. In fact, I'm sure I'm developing all the symptoms of housemaid's knee.'
Judy laughed. ' I'm sure you'll recover. Where do you keep the broom ?'
Leave the rest until the morning. Come and sit down by the fire. You've had a long trip. I meant to give the house a blitz before you arrived—however, you've seen us at our worst now. Are you still prepared to stay ?'
Yes, at least for the trial two weeks.'
Good. That phone call was from Mother. I saw her this afternoon. I hope you don't mind that I told her all about you. She's looking forward to meeting you very much. She was so excited about coming home. I was worried in case you changed your mind. I told her I would pick her up at four o'clock tomorrow afternoon. She has to wait until the doctor does his rounds after lunch, or she would have insisted on me being there first thing in the morning.'
Mark stood up to get his cigarettes from the mantelpiece. I'll go through and see if the
twins are asleep. I want to tell you about them.
When he returned he sat down, his face was serious. I want to tell you this before Claire comes. I told you that Peter and Vicki are my brother Paul's children. Paul is a doctor. He specialized in tropical diseases. Early this year he had the most wonderful . opportunity to go to South America to further his studies, and he took Betsy, his wife, with him. They left the twins here with me. Mother came with them to look after us all. Everyone knows that, but what I'm going to tell you now is only known to Mother and me. Whether you think we're right or wrong I want your word that you won't mention it to anyone, especially the twins.'
' You have my promise,' Judy said readily.
Mark nodded as if satisfied. ' They've been away eight months. Three months ago we had word from the leader of the party that Paul and Betsy had gone further into the interior with four native helpers, and that they had lost contact with the main camp.'
` Have you heard any further news since then ?' asked Judy anxiously.
`Yes, but not good news.' Mark -sighed. `Six weeks ago we learnt that the native helpers had returned to the main camp. They said that Paul and Betsy had been in a canoe which had capsized, and that they were swept over a waterfall. The guides had searched the
area but could find no trace of them. The man who wrote told us there was very little hope of them turning up alive after all this time. The country they were in was particularly wild and rugged. Even if they had got ashore, they would have been without guides, and without their equipment. There are mosquitoes, snakes, dangerous swamps, not to mention hostile natives.'
Judy was appalled. How petty her worries were. compared to what this family was facing ! What a terrible time for you. No wonder your mother was under a strain,' she said sympathetically.
Yes, it's been pretty rough on her,' Mark agreed. We decided in the beginning to keep it from the twins. Why worry them when there may be no need ? Then when we received the next letter we did not know what to do for the best. I just can't believe that Paul and Betsy are dead, and Mother feels the same way. After all, their bodies weren't found, even by the party that went out from the main camp. Somehow I feel that they'll turn up. The leader of the expedition said he'll come and see us when they return to New Zealand at Christmas. So until then Mother and I have decided to say nothing to the twins. Perhaps it's just cowardice, that I can't bear to tell them, but I don't think so. Paul and Betsy were capable, physically and mentally, of dealing with any emergency. I won't give up hope yet.'
Judy did not know what to say to comfort him. ' I'm inclined to believe that they're safe,' she said slowly. ' Especially as your mother feels the same way as you do. Mothers
seem to have a sixth sense as far as their children are concerned. There were so many stories during the war proving that they do. I've heard of mothers knowing the hour their sons died, days before the War Office notified them, and if your mother feels that Paul is still alive, then I think you were right not to tell Peter and Vicki.
Thanks, Judy. Your sympathy has helped. Of course the twins are disappointed that they haven't had any letters for so long, but they think it's because of the trip. We try to act as natural as possible, otherwise they would be quick to notice we were worried. It hasn't been easy, I can tell you.'
They heard a car stop at the gate. Mark stood up. That will be Claire, I'll go and bring her in.'
Judy liked Claire as soon as she met her. Claire was small and fair with lovely brown eyes which danced with fun.
`I think I must really be on the scrap heap when I get asked to play chaperone ! Steve says I'm too flighty for the job, but he's only worried that if the kids cry he'll have to get up to them.
Judy laughed. How many children have
you got?'
Two little darlings, Jane is three and Robin is two. You tell her, Mark, aren't they wonderful children ?'
' Oh, quite wonderful,' Mark agreed with a smile. Exceptional children, Judy, they really are. They never cry, never get cross, never fight, always go to sleep when they're told . .
Stop it! You're not fair,' Claire cried. ' They're not angels, I admit that, but they're nicer than anyone else's kids, so there !'
`And there you have a completely genuine, unbiased opinion,' teased Mark.
Judy laughed; she could see these two were very good friends. It amazed her to see Mark smiling and happy as if he didn't have a care in the world. Only minutes before he had been so serious, so genuinely concerned about his brother. She realized how much easier it would have been for him and his mother if their friends knew the trouble they were in. They would be offered plenty of sympathy, she was sure, but if too many people knew there was always the chance that someone would speak out of turn in front of the twins. She admired their courage.
Judy, Claire and Mark had coffee, and were all happy to retire early.
Although Judy was very tired, she found it hard to get to sleep. She kept thinking of the twins. Poor little children, waiting every
day to hear from their parents, quite unaware that they might never see them again. What a nice person Claire was. She looked far too young. to be married with two children. She thought of Mark. Which was his true character ? One side was light hearted, teasing and acting like the charming idiot and the other was serious, sensitive and compassionate.
CHAPTER IV
The next two weeks passed as if on wings. Judy decided to spring-clean the house. The weather was beautifully fine. She washed, scrubbed and polished. Th
e house had been remodelled inside and out just before Mark had taken over, so by the time Judy finished turning out the cupboards and drawers of each room, and washing the covers and curtains, the whole house sparkled.
Judy loved Mrs Palmer. As she worked from room to room they talked and discussed every subject under the sun. Judy had known at the first meeting that she was going to like her. As each day passed the bond of friendship strengthened. Mrs Palmer's wise kindly eyes followed the trim energetic figure as she moved deftly from one task to another. She understood from listening to Judy more than the girl realized of the loneliness of her adolescent years and of her longing to find a place of her own.
Judy accepted joyfully the warmth, love and understanding that Mrs Palmer offered her.
One evening after Judy had supervised the twins going to bed she put the ironing blanket on the table and switched on the iron.
Judy dear, leave that until tomorrow. You're doing far too much,' Mrs Palmer protested.
Judy laughed gaily. ' I'm not; I'm just loving it here. When I do this ironing and put it away we'll have finished the spring-cleaning.'
`We will have finished,' replied Mrs Palmer. Very nice of you to include me when you wouldn't let me do a hand's turn. You've worked like a Trojan. The whole house looks lovely, fresh and clean and sweet. It was a lucky day for this family, the day Mark met you.'
Lucky for me, you mean,' Judy said. `Do you know, I've hardly ever lived in a house—I mean, been part of a household. And you've let me do just what I liked. After years of boarding schools and living in hospital nursing homes this has been a wonderful experience.'
Mrs Palmer smiled at Judy's bright flushed face. This gay, lively young girl had lifted such a load off her shoulders. The twins adored her, and no wonder. She was marvellous with them.
Did Mark say what time he would be home ?'
Judy paused in her work and looked at the clock, Oh, he shouldn't be long. He said the meeting would finish about ten. Would you like to go to bed now ?'
No, I had a rest this afternoon. I'll stay up and have supper with you when he comes
in. Have you much more to do ?'
I've nearly finished,' Judy answered, switching off the iron. ' Tomorrow I'm going to start on the garden.'
` You'll do nothing of the sort, Judy. You've worked so hard since you arrived, you'll have to take a day off for a rest. Now I insist. The garden can wait, I feel so ashamed just sitting around doing nothing. Tomorrow I'm going to do the cooking while you have one complete day free.'
' We'll see,' Judy said soothingly.
There's the car. That will be Mark home.' Mrs Palmer put the kettle on. ' I'm making supper to show my independence. Don't you " we'll see " me, madam. You'll make me think I'm back in the hospital !'
They were still laughing when Mark came in. Judy picked up the pile of freshly ironed clothes and put them in the cupboard.
How did the meeting go, Mark ?' his mother asked.
Okay. Much the same as usual. They need some younger men in the executive positions. I think there'll be a shake-up at the next annual meeting. What were you two laughing about ?'
Judy has been bullying me, Mark,' complained his mother, handing him a cup of tea. Now sit down, Judy, here's your tea.
You can see who's doing the bullying, can't you, Mark?' Judy said as she meekly
accepted her tea.
Don't let her get the upper hand, Judy. She's a very wicked old lady. Too fond of getting her own way altogether, aren't you, Nan ?'
Wait until you hear what I'm arguing about before you take sides, Mark,' said his mother firmly as she joined them by the fire. Judy has been working hard ever since she arrived. I want her to take the day off to-morrow. She wants to do the garden.'
Your mother wants to take over the cook-ing and you asked me here to see she didn't work too hard, so you can decide.'
Not me. You can fight it out between you. My money will be on Nan. She's had years of experience, and is very skilled at defeating her opponents in the most devious ways. Aren't you, pet ?'
Yes,' admitted Mrs Palmer complacently, and they all laughed together.
As Judy got ready for bed that night she thought how wonderful it was that she fitted into the household so easily. Mrs Palmer was a dear. The twins were mischievous but lov-able. And Mark—Judy shied away from investigating her thoughts on Mark.
Bruce had written three letters. She must answer him. But what could she say ? She had been so busy it had been relatively easy to push the problem of their relationship away to the back of her mind. She sat in bed
with a pen in her hand staring at a blank page. Finally she wrote a newsy letter of all her doings over the last two weeks, signed it and sealed the envelope.
Poor Bruce, he would search the letter for some personal message, but he would look in vain. She was not ready to come to any decision. Life was so free and uncomplicated in. this warm, friendly household. She had no desire to pitchfork herself back into the strained battle of trying to reach a decision.
Someday soon she would discuss her problem with Mrs Palmer. Strange how neither Mark nor his mother had questioned her as to the outcome of her meeting with Bruce. She appreciated their attitude of waiting until she was willing to talk. The friendliness of their welcome, the approval they showed of the work she did, and the genuine pleasure they took from her company soothed her after the buffeting she had received from Bruce's mother.
She snuggled down in her comfortable bed, content and relaxed.
The next morning she found that Mrs Palmer was in control of the kitchen, and had no intention of being displaced.
' It won't hurt me to do the cooking, Judy. Go over to the shed and watch Mark milking the cows.'
Judy wandered out into the bright sunshine. It was a beautiful morning. How close
the snow-capped mountains looked. The Southern Alps dominated the whole scene. She walked down the lawn to the little creek and gazed into the water.
The children had some pet eels and were always begging the scraps to feed them on. The twins were very proud of them, but Judy thought they were horrible. As she watched a huge eel slid through -the water and nosed against -the bank expectantly. Judy shuddered. There was something repulsive about the long snake-like body. How the children could like them she would never know. They even named the wretched things, and they laughed at Judy for being scared of them.
Come on, Judy, we're going to feed the calves. Come and help us,' called Vicki.
She's not to help, Vicki—just watch. You know Nan said she was on holiday today,' Peter said.
I'd love to watch,' answered Judy, catching up with them. I wouldn't be much help anyway, Vicki. I've never been on a farm before.'
Oh, I'll show you what to do. It's easy,' replied Vicki importantly.
Judy followed them across the yard to the cowshed. Her interested eyes took in the big concrete yard, the pipe rail fence, the white-painted walls, and the gleaming stainless steel pipes. Everything was spotlessly clean. Mark did not notice her by the wall. A radio was
playing the latest pop music and the twins were busy collecting some small buckets.
Judy watched Mark move from one bail to the next. The cows were black and white. They looked enormous to Judy. Mark moved swiftly yet quietly amongst them. She saw the pattern of work emerging. Let one cow go, put the machines on the next, wash the cow that had walked into the empty bail and take a few squirts of milk from it, move on to another bail, let the cow go, back and put the machines on the washed cow. Judy was fascinated. It looked so easy, so effortless, but Judy was not deceived. Mark looked up and smiled, ' Hullo, what do you think of my cows ? Beauties, aren't they ?' He patted one cow that was standing ready for a bail. ' This is Lucy, my pride and joy. Wait until the herd-tester comes. You're going to be the best cow in the district this year, aren't you, my pet ?'
He changed several more machines and then came through to the small room beside Judy. He pulled a full
can of milk away against the wall and put a new one under the cooler. The children came in. ' The calves are ready, Uncle Mark,' Vicki yelled above the noise of the machines and music.
' Right, go on with the shed. I'll be a few minutes before I can carry the milk out.'
Judy was astonished as the twins went into the main yard and carried on with the work.
The children were so quick, so capable, and yet so small.
Want to have a go ?' Judy jumped; she had not heard Mark walk up beside her. No, thanks, I couldn't do that—I'd be too scared. Do the cows like the latest pop songs ?'
' Of course they do. Actually it makes them much quieter; they don't jump at every sound—and strange voices don't affect them.'
Judy followed the twins out to the calf pens. She watched the children get the buckets of milk ready and then bring in the smallest calves first.
These are the youngest,' explained Peter. ' They're still on fresh milk. The next lot are on half and half, half fresh milk and half skim milk, that is, with a little oil, and the bigger ones have skim milk, oil and mash.'
The calves were quickly fed and put back in their paddock. The twins scrubbed the buckets and put them in a rack.
Come on, Judy, we're going home now, or we'll miss the school bus,' Vicki told Judy.
She's staying with me,' said Mark. Now off you go. Thanks for the help.'
' Judy's our friend,' Vicki protested. Me and Peter brought her over. You're not fair !'
No, I'm not fair, I'm very dark,' laughed Mark. Now scat. Quick ! ' As the children ran off he said, Come and sit in the sun by the water trough while I finish up.'
Mark milked the last of the cows and put
them out, then hosed down the yard and rails. He washed and sterilized the machines, then went into the side-room and put the milk cans in the huge wall-length refrigerator. Judy was content to sit in the warm sun and listen to the pleasant music while she watched his quick, energetic, methodical movements. In an astonishingly short time the cleaning up was done.
Mark grinned down at her. I'm sure you've enjoyed watching me work and are full of admiration for my supremely efficient methods.'
