Rata flowers are red

by Mary Moore

  ' It doesn't sound as if you have to worry, Mr Davis,' Judy consoled him.

  No, I'm one of the lucky ones. I went over to live with June, she's my daughter in Christchurch, when Mother died. She made me real welcome, you know, but I Couldn't take city life. Not after living on the Coast all my life. Where are you from ? You're not a New Zealander, I can tell by your accent'

  I'm English. I've been in New Zealand nearly two months. If you've lived on the West Coast all your life you must know a great deal about it.'

  Wonderful people on the Coast. They're different to the rest of the New Zealanders, I reckon, more open, more friendly, more hospitable. They're not very partial to law and order. I don't mean they're lawless, just a bit touchy about too many rules and regulations. They obey the laws they find reasonable.

  The others they just ignore. They're basically very honest people, so there's very little crime over there. No, it's just the petty little laws they get into bother with, like the one about closing pubs at six. It never worked on the Coast. Damn silly law anyway. I could tell you some real funny things about the Coast if I had a mind to:

  ' Oh, do tell me,' Judy encouraged eagerly.

  That was all Cass Davis needed. For an hour he talked and Judy listened, entranced. He told her of people and places up and down the Coast—stories about the early pioneers and the hardships they faced. Some of the tales were sad, stark tragedy, and others were hilariously funny. It soon became clear to Judy that this man knew and loved the open, outdoor life, that he loved the bush, the mountains and the birds, and even the wild treacherous rivers. No wonder he couldn't settle down to city life. He talked interestingly and well.

  Mustn't bore you too much, miss,' he said eventually, but now you've got some idea of what makes a West-Coaster. Other people call them rugged, individualists, but they're good-hearted folk and I know you'll be glad you came. I'm going to have a bit of a snooze now. Wake me up when we get to Odra for lunch.

  After listening to the old man Judy found herself looking at the bush and mountains

  with different eyes. The scenery was magnificent. The railcar was now travelling an hour late because of the washouts after the flood last week.

  They stopped at Otira, and when Mr Davis returned he had two friends with him. He introduced them to Judy as Sam and Bill Grey. They tipped the next seat over so they could sit facing Judy and Mr Davis.

  The short fat jolly-looking one, named Sam, laughed as he sat down, ' Trust old Casanova Davis to choose a seat beside the prettiest girl on the railcar ! '

  Judy had to smile when she heard the nickname. She guessed it had been well earned. Anyone as handsome and charming as he was at seventy must have been a great man with the ladies in his youth. She enjoyed listening to their conversation, but when she heard Mark Palmer's name mentioned she really became interested. The two men were farmers and had been at Lincoln College when Mark had given his paper.

  ' Clever young feller,' Sam Grey said. ' Tough too. When he first took on that farm none of us thought he'd make a go of it, but he sure is holding his own.'

  ' Don't think I know him at all,' admitted Cass. ' He's not the Palmer that plays fullback for the Coast team, is he ?'

  ' Yeah, that's him. Plays a good game, too. He was picked for the Island trials, but he

  told the Rugby Union he wasn't" available. Pity too, I reckon he had a fair chance of making the All 131acks. Great boot on him, and he's not scared to tackle?

  Judy was really alert and listening intently.

  Bill Grey laughed, He looks such an easy-going chap, but you don't want to be fooled by that smile of his. No, sir. He can look after himself—remember -that time he gave those Walters boys a thrashing ? They thoroughly deserved it Remember that, Sam ?'

  Yeah, I won't forget that in a hurry,' Sam chuckled. It was like this, Cass. The boy inherited the farm from his uncle. Before he had time to get to know his own cattle there was a sale at Ngahere. Old Walters had a mob in, and the boy sat up on the rail watching them being sold. He didn't realize that half them were his own cattle.' The men all. laughed.

  Judy was horrified, before she could stop herself she burst out, Why didn't someone tell him?'

  'Listen, miss, if he was too silly to know his own cattle he deserved to lose them. I didn't know they weren't old Walters' cattle, and even if I had known, I wouldn't have poked my nose into something that didn't concern. me. Get yourself into a lot of bother that way. Anyway, when young Palmer mustered his cattle he found out he was short and went looking for them. Someone must have told

  him what was what, so he kept his eyes open. A couple of months later he missed about forty ewes. He trailed them up the riverbed and could see that they'd been driven. He found them inside Walters' boundary fence. He opened the gate to drive them back when the two Walters boys came on the scene and there was hell to pay.'

  Bill chipped in, ' It must have been a beaut fight I called in to see Palmer that night and he was a real mess. He was smiling even. though it must have hurt him. He said that the other two looked worse than he did and he bet me it would be a long time before they pinched any more stock from him.'

  Judy was disgusted. What an uncivilized way to behave ! '

  Uncivilized it might be, young lady,' Bill said, but sometimes it's the only way a man can make his point. Those two boys were spoiling for a fight and they got more than they bargained for. What did you expect Palmer to do ? Walk away and leave his sheep ?'

  Judy protested, ' Surely you have a police force ? He could have gone home and called them.'

  You don't know what you're talking about, if you'll pardon me for saying so. If he'd left the sheep he would have never seen. them again. By the time the police got into action they would have been miles away.

  The police are willing to help, but cases like that are well-nigh impossible to prove.'

  Judy protested, ' What about earmarks and brands ? Don't they prove who owns the sheep ?'

  ` Up to a point they're satisfactory. Well, farmers aren't allowed to use branding fluid any more, as a means of identification, because it spoils the wool,' Cass pointed out. `And earmarks are chancy. Anyone can go to Addington sale and buy sheep with his neighbour's earmark on. There are sheep there from three or four different provinces and earmarks can't help being duplicated. A dishonest man has plenty of ways of covering his tracks, believe me. The police move too slow. By the time you notify them and they come out to investigate, the stolen stuff is hanging up in a butcher's yard, nine times out of ten. No, the boy did the only thing he could.'

  ' You all seem to accept it so calmly. Is there much stock stolen ?'

  "Course there is. Anyone who has sheep expects to lose a few lambs over the Christmas period. Fellers come out from town and nip off one for their dinner. Nobody really minds, even if you did you've got a fat chance of stopping them,' Bill explained. ' No, the real trouble starts if you get a crook for a neighbour. Most farmers are honest enough, but occasionally you get one like old Walters

  in the district, then you've got to watch him like a hawk. Cunning old devil, he is. I'm glad he's not a neighbour of mine.'

  ' You bet,' agreed Sam, ' and Palmer has enough on his plate without any extra. Do you remember old Jack Palmer, Cass ?'

  ' Yes, I met him once or twice. Seemed a nice bloke.'

  ' Well, Mark is his nephew. Jack died four years ago and the boy got the farm with a few strings attached. Rumour has it that he and the old boy didn't see eye to eye. Mark went to Lincoln College and came back with a lot of high-falutin' ideas. They used to argue like mad. Mark became a farm advisory officer after he got his degree. The story is that Jack left the farm to Mark in his will provided he can double the production in five years. He made him pay a pretty steep lease for it during those five years too, so the boy hasn't much money to prove his fancy theories. But I'll say this for him, he works like a man possessed. We all thought he wouldn't have a hope, but we could be wrong, I reckon.'

 
Bill said, Poor beggar, he lost a lot of stock in a big flood the first year he was there. Knocked him for a six, it did, but it didn't knock that smile off his face. I like him. He's a decent chap. Never too busy to give a neighbour a helping hand. He was coming past my place one day just as my trailer

  broke and five wool bales came off on the ground. First time I met . him really. He came straight in and gave me a hand to get them on the truck. They were heavy brutes of things to lift, but it didn't seem to bother him at all. I hope he makes the grade.'

  The railcar had stopped again. It was going to be quite late by the time they reached Still-water. The men were talking about someone Judy didn't know, so she sat quiet and thoughtful. There was more to Mark Palmer than she had first thought It was hard to reconcile the pleasant, debonair young man she had met last night with the determined fighter these men had talked about

  She felt rather embarrassed that she had not mentioned that she was going to stay at his farm—almost as if she had been eaves-dropping on a conversation. However, there really had not been an opening to say any-thing, and now the subject had changed: What had that man said ? Something about not being fooled by his smile. Judy thought ruefully that the warning had come a bit late for her.

  CHAPTER III

  On arrival at the Stillwater Station, Judy collected her cases and put them in the waiting room where there was a lovely big coal fire burning. She found a public telephone box and tried the number Mark had given her. There was no answer. She went to the cafeteria and ordered a cup of tea. It was steaming hot and she felt much more cheerful when she had finished it. Once again she tried the telephone, and this time a little girl's voice answered her.

  Could I speak to Mark Palmer, please ?' Judy asked.

  Uncle Mark is still at the shed. I'm Vicki. Can I take a message ?'

  Hullo, Vicki. Could you tell me when your uncle will be home ?'

  I don't know. He's nearly finished.'

  Would you tell him that Judy Somers is at Stillwater Station, and ask him to come and get me, please.'

  `Who?'

  Judy Somers. He'll know who I am. You won't forget, will you?'

  No. Goodbye. Judy heard the receiver click down. She felt annoyed with herself as she returned to the waiting room. If she had remembered to send the telegram she

  wouldn't have to sit here waiting. She was very tired after her sleepless night last night and the long railcar journey. Time passed so slowly, and her head began to nod.

  She woke with a start. How long had she been asleep ? She looked at her watch. it was six o'clock. Surely Mark must have finished his work now ? It was dark outside. Perhaps the little girl had forgotten to give him the message. More frightening still was the thought that maybe he did not want her. He would not just leave her here. Or would he?

  Then she saw his tall rangy figure come through the door. He walked over to her and bent and kissed her quickly on the cheek. These your cases ? Right, come on, follow me. I'm late.'

  Judy was furious, but he had disappeared through the doorway before she had time to recover. She grabbed her bag and small case and hurried after him. She followed him down the platform and across the railway lines to his car. He had put her cases in by the time she got there and was holding the door open for her.

  ' What do you mean by kissing me? You've got a nerve I I've a good mind not to go with you.'

  ' Oh, come on, now. Hop in. The kids are waiting. Imagine how my shares have shot up with the locals after them seeing me kiss such a pretty girl. Now jump in and stop

  making a fuss. I'm in a hurry.'

  Judy got in. Put his shares up, had she ? : Well, if he ever tried that again, she would

  give the locals something to talk about! She waited for him to get in and drive off before , she really gave him a piece of her mind, but he didn't give her a chance.

  ' Wonderful to have you here, Judy. You don't know how wonderful. I really didn't think you would come. Now, I've got to go in here for a minute and see a chap. I won't take you as we must get back to the kids be-fore they murder each other:

  He was back very quickly and drove rapidly back down the road they had come and out on to the main road. ' That was the local schoolteacher's house. I had to see him to ask for a loan of his wife.' Mark grinned wickedly at her surprised face. ' These 'West-Coasters are very generous. They'll give you anything, if you ask them nicely.' ' So it seems. Surely lending his wife is carrying generosity a bit far:

  ' Oh, but he realized that my need was great'

  ! Judy knew he was laughing at her, so she , kept quiet

  ' I'd better explain. went in to ask him if his wife would come and be chaperone tonight. Nan will be home tomorrow, but tonight it's a bit awkward. In a small country place like this you can't be too careful. If

  you stayed at home with just me and the twins I'd probably have to marry you to protect your good name.'

  Judy appreciated his care of her. Thank you very much, but I can assure you that I wouldn't be asking you to make an honest woman out of me. You're quite safe. I hope I haven't been a nuisance arriving without warning, but I forgot to send a telegram this morning. Wouldn't it be better for me to stay at a hotel instead of bothering the schoolteacher's wife ?'

  ' Oh, it won't bother Claire MacLean. She's a real poppet. She said it will make Steve appreciate her more if he has to look after the kids tonight. Here we are.'

  They turned off the main road, crossed the railway lines, and drove down a steep hill. When they stopped Mark carried her case and she followed him along a cement path and into a warm kitchen. As they entered Judy could hear children screaming. Mark dropped her case and ran.

  He came back pushing two children in front of him.

  Do let me introduce you to your charges. This repulsive creature is Vicki and this equally repulsive little boy is Peter. They're ten years old. I told them to tidy up to meet you—and just look at them!'

  Judy looked at the two bedraggled children and thought it better not to smile. But it was

  very hard to keep a straight face. They were both soaked to the skin and had some yellow gooey substance plastered on them. It was all through the little girl's long wet hair, while the little boy had a pair of scissors clutched in his hand. Both glared defiantly at her.

  Mark gave them another shake. ' Well, explain yourselves. I told you to change and wash, and then I come back to find you like this. Peter, what were you doing with those scissors ?'

  ' I was going to cut Vicki's hair,' Peter said flatly.

  He was too !' shrieked Vicki, twisting round, trying to aim a kick at Peter. He was going to cut all my hair off and make me bald ! '

  Mark looked exasperated. What in the world did you want to cut her hair for ?'

  Because she broke my bantam's eggs.'

  This is becoming like a Mad Hatter's Tea Party,' said Mark grimly. Why did you break his bantam's eggs, Vicki ?'

  Vicki started to sob. B-because it said in a book that egg shampoo was good for washing hair and I wanted to look nice for the new lady.' She gave a hiccup. I only wanted two of them, and he bit me and I scratched him and he threw water over me and I threw the rest of the eggs at him and he tried to cut my hair off and I threw water at him and .

  That's enough,' roared Mark, that's more than enough ! I don't know what I'll do with you. I'll let Judy deal with you.'

  Judy risked a smile. ' Vicki is quite right, eggs are very good for hair, but not applied the way she's done it. Of course she should have asked Peter before taking them. Come and show me where the bathroom is, and I'll help you both clean up.'

  Mark loosed his grip on the children. Now you know, Judy, why I mentioned you would have to have your health and strength unimpaired to deal with these two. I hope first impressions aren't lasting, because they really aren't bad little monsters usually.'

  Judy hustled the children through the door to the bathroom. When she saw the mess they had made, she gasped.

  ' Well, you d
on't believe in doing things by halves, do you ? We'll leave the bathroom till later. Which of you do I start on first ?'

  I'll do myself,' announced Peter with great dignity. ' I'll go and have a shower in the wash-house while you do Vicki. Gee, isn't she a beaut mess ?' He started to giggle.

  Take a look at yourself,' said Vicki indignantly. Then she started to laugh and Judy joined in. The three of them laughed until the tears ran down their faces. The ice was broken.

  Judy recovered first. Peter, will you bring my case through from the kitchen ? I'd

  better change.

  Vicki showed her to her room. She quickly slipped into a pair of trews and a jersey and hurried back to the bathroom with a bottle of egg-creme shampoo.

  As she soaped and washed Vicki's hair, the little girl chatted non-stop. Judy cleaned the walls, while Vicki had a bath.

  Judy followed Vicki back to the kitchen. It was a large, comfortable, but very untidy room. A cheerful fire was burning in the open fireplace and Mark was serving tea while Peter finished setting the table.

  Can I do anything to help ?' Judy offered.

  No, certainly not,' replied Mark. You can be a guest tonight, but tomorrow I'll thankfully give up the role of chief cook and bottle-washer. Come on and sit up to the table.'

  Not stew again, Uncle Mark!' wailed Vicki.

  Stew again, yes. You know I can only cook stew and potatoes.' Then his blue eyes took on a mischievous twinkle. 'Actually, I was thinking of having scrambled eggs for a change.'

  Oh, that's not fair !' protested Peter, but he joined in the general laughter.

  Judy enjoyed her tea very much, finding to her surprise that she was very hungry. She was very quiet, but enjoyed listening to the conversation and laughter of the others.