English Passengers by Matthew Kneale

Author:Matthew Kneale [Kneale, Matthew]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Azizex666, Modern, Contemporary, General, Historical, Politics, Fiction
ISBN: 9780385497442
Google: BNMiwpYMY6EC
Amazon: 038549744X
Barnesnoble: 038549744X
Goodreads: 14257
Publisher: Anchor
Published: 2000-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Mrs. Catherine Price, Wife of the Storekeeper, Wybalenna Aboriginal Settlement, Flinders Island 1835-38

I GUESSED at once that the ship from Launceston, which had been expected for several days, must finally have been sighted. Through the curtains of the front room I saw first the garden overseer, next the chaplain and his wife, then the tailor, and Mr. Dunn, the baker, and more, all hurrying through the rain in the direction of the jetty, their eyes betraying hopes of letters. My husband, Louis, was not long in joining them. I, however, preferred to remain indoors, having another slight headache, so felt not quite in a mood for gatherings.

A while later I heard the front door close and Louis call out, ‘‘Have you heard the news, Catherine?’’

I had not. Of course I had not.

‘‘The new governor of Van Diemen’s Land is coming to pay us a visit, and his wife, too.’’ Though he did not step into the front room to speak to me directly, still his voice sounded kindlier than it had for some time. Then again, it was ever Louis’ nature to delight at the prospect of meeting men of influence. Ever since I had first known him he loved to talk of ‘‘connections,’’ and the advancement he believed these could bring, though in truth they seemed to have brought him little enough till now. ‘‘Think of it,’’ he declared from the hallway, ‘‘the new governor, coming all the way here to visit. D’you know he was an explorer in the seas of the Arctic?’’

I knew. It was the one thing that was always said about the man, being told and repeated, I assumed, for lack of anything more revealing. I realized that it was a great honour to have him visit us—all the more so as the previous governor had never thought to come—but still I confess I found myself rather less excited than my husband. He did not stay long, the ship’s arrival necessitating a good deal of work for him at the store, and I spent the morning teaching the children their letters. Through the curtains I could observe the settlement’s wives as they hurried back and forth through the rain to one another’s homes, doubtless to discuss the exciting prospect once and again, and perhaps fret over what they might wear for the occasion. I did consider paying a call or two myself The inclement weather, though, was so very discouraging.

That same evening Mr. Robson called everybody together in the chapel, and as we stood, oil lamps faintly murmuring, he related the arrangements he had devised for the governor’s visit. It was the first time I had looked upon his face for almost a week, and I thought he was looking sadly tired. He spoke well, as ever, beginning by admitting that he had been as surprised as anybody by the news, and then urging us all to strive hard to present a good impression of the settlement. As for his plans, these struck me as most sensible.

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