I've come to take you home, Garry. Ada spoke quickly, flinching at the

sound of those two names. They can't just let them lie out there, they

shouldPlease, Garry.

Let's go home, said Ada. We can talk about it later. We are all very

proud of Garry, said the doctor. Yes, said Ada. Please, let's go home,

Garry.

She could feel it there just below the surface and she held it in: so

much sorrow confined in so small a place. She turned back towards the

door, she mustn't let them see it. She mustn't cry here in front of

them, she must get back to out to the buggy and Ada took the reins.

Neither of them spoke again until they crossed the ridge and looked down

at the homestead. You're the master of Theunis Kraal now, Garry, said

Ada softly and Garrick stiffed uneasily on the seat beside her. He

didn't want it, he didn't want the medal. He wanted Sean.

Theunis Kraal.

Willing hands carried Garrick, hope you don't mind me coming, said Anna,

but I had to talk to you. No. I'm glad you did. Truly I'm glad,

Garrick assured her earnestly. It's so good to see you again, Anna. It

feels like forever since we left. I know, and so much, so much has

happened. My Pa and yours. And, and Sean. She stopped. Oh, Garry, I

just can't believe it yet. They've told me and told me but I can't

believe it. He was so, so alive. Yes said Garrick, he was so alive. He

talked about dying the night before he left. I hadn't even thought

about it until then. Anna shook her head in disbelief, and I never

dreamed it could happen to him.

Oh, Garry, what am I going to do?

Garrick turned and looked at Anna. The AnnA he loved, Sean's Anna. But

Sean was dead. He felt an idea move within him, not yet formed in

words, but real enough to cause a sick spasm of conscience. He shied

away from it.

Oh, Garry. What can I do?

She was asking for help, the appeal was apparent in her voice. Her

father killed at Isandhlwana, her elder brothers still with Chelmsford

at Tugela, her mother and the three small children to feed. How blind

of him not to see it! Anna, can I help you? just tell me. No, Garry.

I don't think anyone can. If it's money -'He hesitated discreetly. I'm

a rich man now. Pa left the whole of Theunis Kraal to Sean and 1, and

Sean isn't, I She looked at him without answering. I can lend you some

to tide you over blushed Garrick, as much as you need. She went on

staring at him while her mind adjusted itself. Garrick master of

Theunis Kraal, he was rich, twice as rich as Sean would have been. And

Sean was dead. Please, Anna. Let me help you. I want to, really I do.

He loved her, it was pathetically obvious, and Sean was dead. You will

let me, Anna? She thought of hunger and bare feet, dresses washed until

you could see through them when you held them to the light, petticoats

patched and cobbled. And always the fear, the uncertainty you must live

with when you are poor. Garry was rich and alive, Sean was dead.

Please tell me you will. Garrick leaned forward and took her arm, he

gripped it fiercely in his agitation and she looked into his face. You

could see the resemblance, she thought, but Sean had strength where here

there was softness and uncertainty. The colour was wrong also, pale

sand and paler blue instead of brutal black and indigo. it was as

though an artist had taken a portrait and with a few subtle strokes had

altered its meaning completely so entirely different picture. She did

as to make it into an not want to think about his leg.