Catherine Cookson by The Desert Crop

Author:The Desert Crop
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2011-08-27T22:40:46+00:00

PART FOUR 377

1

It was late September of 1891 and it was clear that Daniel was fighting a losing battle to make the farm profitable. This wasn't due to a slackening of his labour, or that of the three men he still had working, but to the parched ground of two seasons. It would seem that during all the winter months it had rained or snowed and that the sun had shone solely in late spring and summer. Now, with autumn here, there hadn't been a drop of rain for five weeks. The streams were dry and the rivers were running low and the buckets lay empty at the bottom of the wells. Even the famous Granny Smith Well had but a dribble flowing into it. The water carts were visiting some districts and an order had gone out from the town that anyone found using valuable water on flower gardens and such would be liable to prosecution.

The natural outcome of this was that some farmers had given up the struggle. Because the sparse grass on the hills was burnt dry, there was no feed for the sheep, while here and there cattle had died.

Daniel's vegetables, too, were a write-off.

The drought had not only affected the land but had definitely impregnated the tempers of all who worked on it and even those who didn't, because now Pattie and John were in an argument that had started as a discussion with Daniel and Janie. The divided opinions had brought sharp rejoinders, such as when Daniel said with weary cynicism, `Well, I don't know why we're bothering about the land. Why don't we just let the coal owners and the shipyard magnates take it over as they're doing here, there and everywhere. I'd like to bet their gardens are not going short of water and their horses are still pulling their four-in-hands.`

`Well, as you're talking about that, Daniel, the four-in-hands and the gardens and the mansions all give employment to one section of society, and the places where they've made their money keep hundreds, if not thousands, alive.`

`Yes, but where, John? Down in the depths of the earth; and they are working for starvation wages in shipyards.`

`That's nonsense!` said Pattie. `Look at Palmers in Jarrow; the workers there are able to buy their own properties.`

Òh, Jarrow!` said Daniel, 379 tossing his head, `You'd think Palmers was the only shipyard on God's earth. What about the docks? Have you read about London dockers living like rats, and eating like rats an' all?`

`We're not talking about London, we're talking about this end of the country.`

Òh, as long as they're all right at this end, damn London! damn everybody else!`

`Daniel, and you, Pattie--` Moira looked from one to the other now, and her voice was quiet and rather weary sounding as she said, Ì think this discussion should come to an end.` Then smiling, she added, Ìf we were in Ireland you, Daniel and John, would both have your coats off and the blood would be flowing by now.

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