Ricky

by Sheila Hunter

  There are some very nice people aboard, and only a few that are not. The captain is a polite fellow to the passengers, but I believe not to the crew. Which side of him we don't see, but on occasions do hear.

  The Marlings are aboard and are pleasant people. They have their two sons and a daughter travelling with them. The sons are about our age and good chaps. The girl is younger. The Richardsons are on too, and the Archibald Smiths. Several folk we have heard about but I have never met, the John James, the Heards from out near Bathurst and Gerald Cross from somewhere on the South Coast of N.S.W. Most of the cabin passengers got on in Melbourne. Two are absolutely awful. They are the Misses Agatha and Gertrude Pennefather. They complain about everything and are quite miserable. They don't like colony life and are going home to "culture." One wonders why such women bother to make the voyage out, it could never be to their liking. But several other families got on who are very good company and so you see I have a goodly number of people to while away my time with.

  Melbourne is not as well developed as Sydney but is remarkable for its wide straight streets, not narrow ones like Sydney. The river is delightful and right in the city. Not as pretty as the harbour at home but very attractive. There are some good quality homes being built there for apparently there are some very rich people there. I suppose from the gold.

  The Marling boys and I hired a cab to take us around to look at this place. We found it very interesting. You should see the black people here. Some of them are quite huge and very black. Everyone here seems to have black servants, they are everywhere. Not like at home where you never see black servants. Although I have heard people do have them in the country.

  The town is well established and quite picturesque. There is a big mountain that they call Table Top that is flat and often has a cloud along it for all the world like a tablecloth. I think I must like travel.

  I am not very good at sketching while the ship is going for sometimes it makes me a bit sick and when the deck is sloped it is difficult, but I am enjoying it and the Marlings are good company. But I have done some things that I really like of the big black fellows working on the wharf. They are so black and shiny that they reflect light on their skin.

  Tad is well now, he was sick when I was but Amabel looked after him so he was all right. They spend their time ashore looking at shops and things so they go their own way. They don't mind me going off with the Marlings and I don't mind them going off. They have made friends with some other young couples and are happy with them. Occasionally Tad gets a feeling of brotherly remorse and wanders along to see how I am faring. He makes me chuckle, he is like an old uncle.

  We all send our best wishes to you and the thing that would make this trip perfect would be to have you with us Remember me to Jenny, I send her greetings.

  Will."

  With this were some funny caricatures of people who Ricky presumed were some of the passengers. Two sour looking females he took to be the Misses Pennefather, both with very long noses and droopy lips. Ricky thought he would carefully keep these and show them to Will when he got back. He might value the sketches some day, he thought.

  The next mail from the boys came from London where apparently Joshua Falconer-Mead had met them and settled them in a hotel so that he could show them the sights before taking them to Sussex. Will wrote his usual glowing descriptions of all they saw and Tad his usual reports of his Amabel. One thing set Ricky thinking in Tad's letter was that Amabel apparently had lost her good sea-legs on the latter part of the trip and was quite peaky. Tad hoped it was not serious and that she would pick up soon. The next letter had Ricky in stitches for his thoughts of Amabel turned out to be quite right. She was enciente[5].

  Tad wrote,

  "Dear Rick,

  Guess what! Amabel is increasing and I didn't even think about that. We are so excited that we can't think of anything else. She has been feeling quite poorly each morning, but is able to eat lunch happily each day. She is looking better now. I have insisted on her seeing a doctor, though, in case anything should be wrong. My grandfather insisted on her seeing Dr Light, who has been the family doctor here for generations I think. He brought my father in to the world. I cannot think that that is a good recommendation for I would like her to have someone more modern. However my grandfather says that having a baby is the same every generation and that doesn't change. But I do not want to risk Amabel.

  I daresay I should tell you a bit about Mead Park and the people here. Well, it is a lovely home, and very large indeed. I have never seen such a big house, it's bigger than any we have at home. I don't know how many rooms it has but it is lots. I thought it was a castle when I first saw it. It has lovely gardens, too.

  The people are, my grandfather, Joshua, his mother, my Aunt Mary, his father Uncle Cuthbert, my Aunt Jemima and all sorts of servants and things. They are a bit overwhelming and take a lot of getting used to but they are very kind to Amabel and that is what counts.

  Grandfather took Amabel and me to see my other grandparents the day after we arrived. Their name is Stanthorpe, as I told you, and their place is called Hamilton. It isn't as big as Mead Park and it wouldn't want to be, but the gardens are absolutely lovely. I cannot get over this English spring, there seems to be blue plants all over the place. But Hamilton's gardens are simply lovely.

  I cannot say enough about my Stanthorpe grandparents. I like them a great deal and somehow I felt at home right away and, of course, they loved Amabel. They have accepted me completely as I apparently have my mother's eyes, so my grandmother says, and of course, I look like Josh. She is a sweet, dainty little person and couldn't take me to see my mother's portrait soon enough. Ricky that made me quite emotional. In fact that state is, at this moment, quite overwhelming. Me! hard-hearted, me! They asked Amabel and me to come to stay for a full day and this we did and thoroughly enjoyed it. We walked all over the simply acres of garden and it was astounding. My grandparents actually do some of it themselves. I think they would like us to take up residence there, but of course we cannot, but I would like to. We've been to see them several times.

  They also have made Will very welcome which is more than I can say about the people at the Park. I think he will go on his way soon. But he is very well.

  Grandfather sent us to see Amabel's relatives in Surrey and we had several days there. What a fine family I have married in to! Amabel was able to see all the young people she spent her girlhood with and I was able to meet all the people she has spoken of so much. Their homes are very lovely, too. None as big and grand as the Park but ever so homely. We took Will with us and they welcomed him as my brother's right, and that was good. Cheers!

  Tad"

  Will's letter was so different and much shorter;

  "Dear Rick,

  What a different place this is to what I have been used to. The colours of this northern spring are a delight. There are bluebells by the mile in the woods here.

  I spend quite a lot of time wandering around sketching, and when they can Tad and Amabel take me with them to visit Tad's other grandparents who are very nice folks. At least they treat me like a human but I cannot say that about the people at the Park, as they all call it. They seem to think I am going to a den of iniquity by going to live in Paris to study painting. I must say, too, that these 'gentlewomen’ don't really accept Tad either. Although, I don't think he is all that happy, he doesn't say anything. At least they are kind (too much) to Amabel so I suppose Tad thinks if they do that then he will put up with it. I think his grandfather is trying to make Tad settle here, I know Tad and I don't think there is a chance at all.

  I am going off after I visit Amabel's relatives. I hope they are like the Stanthorpes for they are very kind people.

  Regards, Will."

  This letter gave Ricky a great deal to think about and wondered whether Mr Landon was correct in his assurance that Mrs Landon's brother would give Will a welcome in Paris. He did hope so, for if things didn't turn out well for Will he was not
very happy to think what the outcome would be.

  From that time on only scrappy letters came from Tad and the Landons were not very happy about Amabel being so far from them while she was in her known condition. Mrs Landon, especially worried about her and wished that the young people would come home.

  Will on the other hand wrote glowing letters of his time in Paris. Mr Cummins had proved helpful. He met Will and settled him in a decent apartment quite a distance from the embassy, explaining that he knew that Will would want to be near the art school he was to go to. Will hadn't met Mrs Cummins because the small children were sick with the measles and so they couldn't have Will at their home for a while. Will understood but as the weeks went by, seeing only Mr Cummins occasionally, he wondered whether that was the reason or was there another English 'gentle'-woman who would not accept him. He found this was so, for when he at last was asked to a meal at the Cummins home at the embassy he found she was a cold unrelenting female who did not wish to be landed with a waif from the colonies. This was not actually said, but Will was left in no doubt, and it hurt.

  But he wrote in glowing terms about the back alleys and streets that gave him a great deal of scope for his particular type of street scenes. He thoroughly enjoyed his school and found that without a great deal of difficulty he could understand what the teacher was saying. This man was as 'volatile as a steam train', said Will. He could scream like a train whistle and often did, "at me," he said. He could make himself understood easily but found that everyone spoke so quickly that they were hard to follow, especially M. Jacques, who was the teacher. The first weeks were a blur of misunderstanding and at times was very despondent, then two lively young Englishmen came to the class and he began to feel more settled. He found that he had more French than they did and so was able to feel a slight amount of superiority about his helping them. He found that they liked a rollicking night life that he was not able to keep up with, for his constitution was not up to it. But they were good company and it was hard to tear himself away from them.

  Then in one letter Will told Ricky that he and his two friends had planned to take a walking holiday sketching through the country a little. He wondered whether he could keep up with them for they were athletic types and not too tolerant of his crippled leg, but he hoped that if he was not able he would find a good place to paint and settle there in a farm house.

  "But the countryside is not like ours, Rick. There seems to be lots of open fields and no scattered houses like we know. The farmers seem to live in walled towns or something. But I must admit I don't really know but will find out. I hope I find something good to paint."

  Surprisingly there were no more letters and Ricky began to worry. He knew he had to wait patiently for if anything was wrong Will would contact Tad and he thanked God that Tad was comparatively near. It was no use writing a worry letter for that would take months to get an answer and so he just had to wait. As time went by he was nearly frantic and he carried his concern to Mr Landon who was also a recipient of Will's mail.

  "I was going to ask you the same thing, Ricky. I have been concerned for some time and did not like to tell you. I am sorry that Cummins has not been more helpful to the boy. I was so confident that he would be a great assistance to him. But apparently Agatha has taken a dislike to Will and takes every opportunity to write and tell me so. I had a disturbing one from her telling me that he has got into bad company and as she knew he was a useless type she was not surprised. Not what I planned, Ricky. I am so sorry."

  "It isn't your fault, sir. I am sure he will be all right, but I wish I knew. If he is in trouble he wouldn't be likely to turn to the Cummins now, and I am sorry for it, but he is of age and should have enough sense to get himself out of any trouble he may be in. He has to go to Mr Cummins for his money anyway so surely he would see to him."

  "Thank God he is close enough to England to keep in touch with Tad. But I have to tell you that in Tad's last letter he told us that he hasn't heard from Will either and was a bit concerned, but as he knew Will was going out to the country he didn't worry. Incidentally I wouldn't be surprised if Tad and Amabel came home, Ricky. I fancy they are not too happy there. What do you think?"

  "I gathered that, too, Mr Landon. I presume Tad has found that having relatives is not all that marvellous. But he likes his mother's family. I am pleased about that."

  CHAPTER 18 Micky

  Ricky had a great deal to occupy his mind so had, at times, to put the thought of Will behind him. He was very busy with his town projects and his country ones, and tried to fit in seeing Jenny as often as he could. Their friendship grew as well as their love and they were beginning to feel they knew one another very well.

  Rob Martin sometimes met Ricky in Windsor when he went down to Rocklea, but it was usually one of the grooms from the farm. When Rob came they were able to chat about the happenings of the place without any disturbance. So it was not a surprise to Ricky when he saw Rob sitting in the sulky when the coach pulled in.

  "Hello, Rob. Hot, isn't it?" called Ricky.

  "Gooday, Mr English. It certainly isn't a winter's day. Must be that spring is coming. Did you have a good trip down?" Rob asked.

  "Yes, not too bad. But at times I wish I had time to come by ferry for the trip is much better that way. I can't say I like trains much. Too much stopping and starting."Ricky swung up into the sulky. "How is everything, Bob?"

  "Not bad, Mr English, not too bad," was the reply.

  Ricky looked around this small town and noted the changes each time he came. He was getting very fond of the place and knew quite a few of the residents. He doffed his hat at this one and that as they drove through. Soon they were out on the road to Rocklea and Ricky leaned back on the comfortable squabs and sighed a contented sigh. "I do enjoy this part of the trip. In fact I think I could easily live at Rocklea if it wasn't for my business. I look forward to the day when I will live here permanently, which I probably will do when I retire."

  "You are certainly a country man at heart, aren't you?" Rob asked.

  "Yes, I am. I miss it, and I didn't know how much I do until I bought Rocklea. Anyway, Rob, tell me about the place," Ricky said.

  "The farm itself is going well. I feel sure we are keeping up the standard that Mr Raynes set." Rob chuckled. "You know Mr Raynes comes over sometimes to look the place over. Mrs Ormsby brings him. He doesn't stay but I always try to show him what we are doing. He never tells us when he is coming but just drops in. I hope you don't mind."

  "Not at all, Rob. I told him to feel free to do it whenever he wishes to. I am glad he can come, for I know his heart is in the place. Is he happy with what you are doing?"

  "He tells me so. What a nice old fellow he is," Rob said.

  "He is that. Gosh, he got a fright when I told him that first time about the boys. He nearly had another stroke, I think. But he is happy about them now?"

  "Yes, he has spoken to all of them, and particularly to young Micky. He seems to like the boy."

  "What's on your mind Rob? you seem to be concerned about something."

  "Well, yes, I am. I am a bit concerned about the boys. I think one or more of them are up to something and I don't know what."

  "Why, what do you mean, Rob?" said Ricky.

  "Well, as you know young Beetson is doing a great job with the boys. You certainly found a good'n in him. He knows how to handle them and is a good farmer. He's been very pleased with some of the boys. Micky stands out, because he came from a farm originally, but the other five are triers, and not bad lads. They are working as well as you could expect from town boys. It isn't that I am not pleased with their work, but something odd is happening. One of the ponies is being used illegally and we can't track down who is doing it. I think one of the boys is taking leave of absence at night and we do not know who."

  "What, visiting some lass, do you think?" asked Ricky.

  "It has to be that, Mr English, for there isn't a tavern near and I can't think what else it could be. And t
hat's not all. I don't really know why but I have a feeling that Micky is something to do with it. His work is dropping off and he doesn't have his heart in it as he used to."

  "Have you spoken to him?"

  "No, for I really don't have anything to go by, except that the pony is obviously being ridden, quite a way too. Both Beetson and I have tried to stay awake to catch the culprit but when we've been alert we've found nothing. And you know we need our sleep, we work hard enough and can't spend too many nights up on the prowl."

  "No, of course not. Maybe I can help. I can take a turn to stay up at night."

  "That would be good. But of course he doesn't do it every night. I think he just knows when we are on the alert."

  "We'll give it a try anyway. I'd hate it if one of the lads is getting in to mischief, it's the thing that has worried me about taking half grown lads on. They are my responsibility and I don't want any of my boys to be a trouble to the neighbourhood."

  "I have no reason to think there is trouble. I haven't heard of anything anyway."

  "We'll just have to watch," said Ricky. "Now tell me about the rest of the place."

  They chatted away very pleasantly and soon were at Rocklea. One of the boys saw him arrive and came to carry his bag into the house. "Thanks, Micky. How are you going out here?" Ricky asked. "Liking the place?"

  "Yes, Mr English. It's a great place. I didn't think I would ever get to work on a place like this. Thank you."

  "You grew up on a farm didn't you, Micky?"

  "Yes, I did, until my people died, Mr English. Then I went to town to be with my uncle, and didn't have any chance then. Then he died too."

  Ricky looked at the boy with red hair. He was about 15 and quite small for his age. "Well, make the most of it. Maybe you will get a good job and work for a place of your own one day. Make the most of the opportunity here, though, while you can," said Ricky.