‘Of course you can. We’ll all support you.’
Before Elly could comment, Pearl added that she and J.G. would postpone their departure. ‘We couldn’t think of deserting you at such a time. As well, there are all the women you have helped since you came to the hospital. They will rally around you, I’m certain.’
Elly had to blink hard and swallow before she could find the words to thank them.
J.G. cut her short. ‘If we could get on, Elly.’
‘Certainly. Just give me one minute more, please, J.G. Where’s my glass? Oh, here it is. I want to drink a solitary toast to all my friends here, my good and faithful friends who mean more to me than I can say. To you all.’ She gathered them in with her gaze, enjoying their gratification. Draining her glass, she said, ‘If it belonged to me, Pearl, I’d smash this goblet theatrically in the fire.’
Pearl hastily took it from her. ‘We’ll consider it done, and thank you for the sentiment.’ Observing her husband almost dancing with impatience, she added, ‘And in pity for J.G., let’s get on with our plotting.
~*~
The campaign gathered momentum from that day. Much to J.G’s satisfaction, all sorts of information detrimental to Cornwallis began arriving, or was whispered in his ear in the street or over a glass in the taverns. Paul started to compile a list of men either bribed or coerced into supporting Cornwallis politically and commercially, and another list of those who had refused and been financially punished, even ruined, as a consequence. Uglier rumours surfaced about street women who refused to associate with the man, whatever the price offered. Then there were the men with beautiful wives, men whose faces shut against his name.
Ethan pulled his weight in the merchant houses where he was establishing his business interests and, disguised as a common seaman, in the lower taverns frequented by bully boys, questioning, eavesdropping, discovering the contacts used by Cornwallis to do his dirty work.
The conspirators kept on digging, querying business associates, bribing clerks and accountants concerned with Cornwallis’ many interests. Their activities could not be kept secret for long, so they knew their quarry would be aware and, it was hoped, afraid.
Then the articles began to appear in The Empire:
“Investigations into contracts let for extensions to the new Sydney Gas Works have revealed corruption at a high level, involving bribery of Council officials who will be obliged to explain the suppression of tenders and the giving of false information. It is expected that persons named in connection with the bribes, including some of our more prominent men of business, will shortly be required to appear before an investigatory committee.”
There was a distinct flavour of ‘watch this journal for developments’, plus an inference that names would be named shortly. The next week Cornwallis headed the published list.
Another paragraph, ten days later, adopted a high moral tone over prostitution, then suddenly switched viewpoint to deplore the brutality frequently suffered by ‘ladies of the night’ at the hands of their visitors, and the pernicious double standard which allowed their abusers to pose as upright citizens. An interview with a retired police officer revealed the existence of an establishment consisting entirely of girls under the age of twelve, catering only to the most select clientele. The business was owned by “three toffs who kept the best for their special friends and paid high for virgins, them being hard to come by.” When pressed, the man had revealed the owners’ names, and The Empire promised to seek confirmation, while hinting darkly that one at least was the son of a British peer.
Cornwallis’ name became conspicuous in such innocuous connections as a report of his attendance at the Lord Mayor’s Ball, along with other notables, or his day at the races with friends. When appointments were made to the board of a new banking establishment, Cornwallis appeared as a member. His name was constantly presented before readers of The Empire in all possible contexts.
Sandwiched between such items were reports of the carnage in the Crimea, and the gradual perception by the public that the English governing classes were the cause of the disaster.
“Do we want the same system of government here which distributes both public and military office according to the accident of birth?” thundered The Empire, and even the Sydney Morning Herald, traditional supporter of the landed gentry, followed. The Melbourne Age trumpeted a cry for independence: “The time has come when we should prepare to take the business entirely into our own hands”. There was even a call for independence by force of arms, if necessary. The increasingly powerful middle class had become vocal, demanding a system of government which promoted talent rather than privilege.
Paul didn’t hide his delight, even while diverting most of his energies away from the Cause to concentrate on the Cornwallis campaign. Twice he had been set upon, but he now went nowhere unaccompanied and avoided obvious lonely places. When hired bullies tried to smash up a political gathering where he was speaker, they were foiled by Paul’s own bravos scattered throughout the audience in preparation for such an event. He had received anonymous threats in the mail, had scurrilous words painted on the wall of the house where he lodged. Fortunately his landlord assumed this to be a politically motivated attack and simply had the wall repainted.
J.G. carried out similar precautions, which included an invitation to Elly and Jo-Beth to move into the house he had hired for Pearl in the gracious suburb of Woollahra, one with a high fence and a sturdy gardener living on the premises who vetted visitors at the gate. For Elly’s supportive friends had also been dismissed from the hospital and were now unemployed.
‘I’ll employ you,’ Elly said, when the news had been indignantly passed on by Jo-Beth. ‘We’ll begin with the letters to charitably-minded women. I’ve brought with me from the files a list of those who support the hospital, the Benevolent Society, the Orphan School, and such. Of course, the ones with husbands on the Hospital Board will probably not feel disposed to listen, but there’ll be others with a more open mind, I trust.’
Jo-Beth’s society background fitted her to compose the letters so she set to immediately, co-opting Pearl’s help, while Elly sent carefully designed notes to a number of former patients. She chose only those who were not too ground down by poverty and child-bearing to have the time, plus having a possible interest in bettering their health system for the benefit of all. It wasn’t necessary for Paul to point out the power of the rising middle class, the merchants and traders prosperous enough to give their wives the freedom to espouse causes. Elly had seen for herself the influence wielded by women like Mrs Burton, the Gaol Governor’s wife, who could sway not just her husband, but other wives in her own circle. If these women could be enlisted in her cause, she would have a strong base from which to work.
From the number of replies, Elly realised she would now have to organise a meeting.
‘Somewhere warm,’ Pearl advised. It is mid-winter.’
Elly began to laugh. ‘I know just the place, the Royal Hotel. They’re used to rowdy political events so won’t cavil if we ladies get a little out of hand.’
With the appointment of a new Matron at the Sydney Hospital, J.G. immediately pointed out how well Elly had performed in the position and how many improvements she had introduced. His article alluded to the incompetence of certain members of the Board, claiming fallen standards since Elly’s departure. A fuming counter-attack in the Sydney Morning Herald only added to the publicity, giving J.G. further opportunity to sing Elly’s praises and ask point blank whether the Board would care to list its reasons for her dismissal.
The following week The Empire revealed to its readers a story of graft and corruption which sold out the edition almost before it hit the street. Elly read the item aloud to her friends at breakfast, congratulating J.G. on having excelled himself. He ducked his head in false modesty, replying, ‘I believe it to be one of my choicest works.’
‘We’re stirring up danger here, J.G.’ Pearl rested her hands on her husband’s na
rrow shoulders.
Elly suddenly noted the grey streaks at his temples and, examining him covertly, realised that his experience at the goldfields had damaged his health, perhaps permanently. She believed Pearl knew it, yet was wise enough not to interfere in his headlong crusade. If it were not Cornwallis, it would be another. He would never cease to set his nimble wits against corruption.
J.G. smiled mischievously at his wife. ‘That’s the idea, to stir the snake on all sides. We’ll have him so wildly confused he won’t know where to strike first, although I know where the first major blow against him will be dealt.’
‘Where?’ the three women chorused.
J.G. practically hugged himself. ‘Since this stir up of interest, he and his banker friends have been under investigation, with particular regard to the handling of charity funds. The Board of Directors of the Hospital has scented scandal. They’ve convened a special meeting to discuss its composition and the necessary probity of its members. How do you imagine Cornwallis will enjoy that, eh?’
CHAPTER FORTY
Jo-Beth had thoroughly enjoyed Elly’s inaugural speech on public health, at the Royal Hotel. Her pleas for the more fortunate women in her audience to appreciate the plight of their sisters forced into unendurable situations in dirt-floored slum hovels, below street level and subject to every rush of rainwater bringing in filth, their malnourished children at the mercy of vermin and disease, had brought tears to many eyes, including Jo-Beth’s own.
Afterwards, during late supper at the Woollahra house, Ethan drew Jo-Beth aside. ‘My love, is there some way for me personally to help Elly’s campaign? Until I became involved I had little idea of the importance of public health. As she pointed out, we are all affected. Our own children could be at risk.’
Blushing, Jo-Beth assured him that his valuable work on the “bring-down-Cornwallis” campaign would eventually help Elly. ‘Besides, I have certain plans for the future which will interest you. I’ll not be an idle wife.’
He slipped an arm around her waist. ‘Tell me, minx.’
‘Later. No, Ethan, we’ll be seen.’ Nevertheless, she kissed his cheek before releasing herself. ‘Did you see those women, at least a hundred, all hanging on Elly’s words, and not an objection from any of them? As a campaign opener it could hardly have been bettered.’
‘It was the first shot in the campaign. But you should be wary. Having taken the opposition by surprise, you may not be so fortunate next time.’
‘What opposition? We’re not attacking anyone.’
‘Oh you are, dearest. You’re criticising the establishment, the men who have, in your own words, failed to care for the unfortunate, the sick and the elderly in our community. Nor have you yet clashed with the rowdy element, the cabbage tree boys and street bullies who will delight in breaking up your meetings out of sheer devilry.’
‘Oh, them. Paul and J.G. have organised a band of men to keep obvious trouble-makers away from future events. If any do slip through, they’ll be swiftly ejected, I assure you.’ Seeing him still concerned, she slipped her arm through his, adding, ‘Now, you’re not to worry, Ethan. With you at my side there can be no danger.’ She swept him over to the others, grouped around Pearl’s fireplace, deep in discussion.
‘The Empire’ will give a full report,’ J.G. promised ‘Elly. ‘I particularly liked your vivid descriptions of the effects of starvation and poor living conditions on the children – “faces and limbs rat-bitten, their teeth rotted, their gnome-like, undeveloped bodies a prey to any ill blown in on the wind.” Strong stuff, Elly.’
‘Don’t turn it into melodrama, my friend. I’d like you to emphasise how much it’s in the community’s own interests to clean up the slum breeding places for typhoid, influenza and smallpox, which sweep through all classes of society, regardless of wealth or worth.’
Elly sounded tired, thought Jo-Beth, yet still keyed-up and restless, while probably wondering what else she could have done to reach the hearts and minds of her audience. She said, ‘Elly, you’ve done a magnificent job. Those women will go home and start educating their menfolk to pressure the politicians. Many whose husbands hold public office have promised to mount household campaigns of their own. We’ve agreed that our strongest weapon is public opinion. Anything J.G. can do in the way of reinforcement is important. Don’t you agree, Pearl?’
‘I do. Yet I also particularly liked Elly’s plea for us to use our feminine minds to create the kind of world in which we want to live, not leave it always to the men. The more affluent women in society have power; they’re a huge, virtually untapped resource.’
Jo-Beth smiled to herself, thinking of her own future plans. She was certain that Ethan would approve. While it was not a vast city like London, Sydney Town grew larger each day, swelled by immigrants, many of them people of substance. There was plenty of work for her on this side of the globe.
Paul, standing listening with his back to the fire, took no part in the discussion. Yet he’d done his best this evening, Jo-Beth knew, coming forward without warning to speak on Elly’s behalf, using his silver tongue to induce a favourable mood in the audience. He had made them laugh at him, then gracefully apologised for having taken so long to realise that equality of opportunity should include the female sex. He’d gone on to praise Elly as the highly-trained pupil of her eminent father, telling of her tenacity and fortitude in her fight to improve conditions in the Sydney Hospital. Elly had been furiously embarrassed, and still avoided talking to him.
Joining her on the sofa, Jo-Beth said softly, ‘Don’t be cross with Paul. The way he attacked that cabal of Hospital Governors for dismissing you was inspired. It’s just the sort of support you need.’
‘I didn’t know where to look. This evening wasn’t about me. My personal difficulties shouldn’t be dragged into public view.’
‘Nonsense. The behaviour of the Board is everyone’s business, as well as valuable ammunition in our fight for public health improvements. You’re not usually so sensitive, Elly. I think you owe Paul an apology for raking him down when he only tried to help you.’ She had a shrewd idea that Elly’s over-reaction went a lot deeper than mere pique.
Elly flushed. ‘Perhaps. Let’s leave the subject, shall we?’
However, to Jo-Beth’s pleasure, Elly did approach Paul before the group dispersed, and the two seemed to part on friendly terms.
~*~
Paul convened a meeting at his place some weeks later, with the promise of important news. Through the open windows Elly heard the others arrive, J.G. tying up his horse and racing to greet Ethan and Jo-Beth coming up the path.
‘I’m not late, then? Good. I had to camp out with a boat crew at Watson’s Bay last night, waiting to board the mail steamer before she entered the Heads. We’ve got to beat those scamps at the Herald to the news.’
‘And did you?’ Jo-Beth sounded amused.
But Ethan quickly asked, ‘What news of the War?’
‘Not much on the battle front. Still, at last there’s been a Committee of Inquiry appointed in the House of Commons. High time. The whole campaign’s been a bloody disgrace, begging your pardon Jo-Beth. No proper tents, or food for men or horses; no decent road built from the coast to Balaclava before the Russian winter set in. Hundreds die of scurvy and cholera, with the wounded left to perish of exposure on the battlefields.’
‘That’s dreadful!’
Jo-Beth’s reaction was as much that of a trained nurse as it was womanly, thought Elly. She had changed, they had all changed so much.
On the doorstep J.G. was still in full flight. ‘The Frenchies had the sense to send out fifty Sisters of Mercy. Our boys have only decrepit army pensioners and a few inexperienced orderlies working in unspeakable conditions. Or they did, until Sidney Herbert at the War Office persuaded a lady to take a party of nurses out to Scutari to try to clean up the hospital, in much the same way as Elly has here. Florence Nightingale’s her name. However, she’ll have her work cut out getting accept
ance from the Army Medical Officers.’
They hurried inside to be met by Paul and ushered into his fire-warmed room. Spring had come, yet nights and early mornings remained chilly, so Jo-Beth happily adopted a seat near the hearth to warm her toes, while Pearl, who had arrived earlier, greeted her errant husband.
Everyone sensed an atmosphere, Elly thought, and wasn’t surprised when Jo-Beth asked, ‘Has something happened?’
‘Ask Paul.’ Elly’s hands twisted in her lap.
Jo-Beth’s eyes questioned Paul.
He adopted his favourite position before the fire, laying his arm along the mantel, while Pepper sat at his feet staring up at him adoringly.
‘We’ve stirred the snake, people,’ Paul said. ‘Although a brick through my bedroom window last night is an uncommonly weak response when we consider some of the earlier attacks.’
J.G. was gleeful. ‘That’s probably just the entree. There’ll be more to come now Cornwallis has been dropped from the Hospital Board of Management. I heard, too, that the Australian Club has asked him to resign his membership. The whispers are all over town, and people withdraw their skirts from the path of the pariah. Why the faces of gloom? We’ve achieved our aim. The man’s socially doomed in this country. We’ll hear next that he’s taken passage for England, and good riddance. I wish him joy of the trip, with every passenger soon aware of who and what he is.’
Paul shook his head. ‘There’s more to it, I’m afraid. The message wrapped around the brick was scurrilous and specific in its threats to Elly and me. It’s too vile for me to read it aloud. You can see it later, J.G.’
‘Well, it’s to be expected, I suppose.’ J.G. was off-hand. ‘We knew we’d have to be careful until we scotched the snake.’
‘Oh, he’s scotched all right. He’s seen what’s ahead and gone into hiding.’
J.G. frowned. ‘What haven’t you told us?’
‘This. I’ll read it aloud. It goes to The Empire tomorrow.’
Elly felt the blood draining from her face, and Jo-Beth moved her chair up beside her as Paul began to read:
A HAZARD OF HEARTS Page 39