Read Online A Distant Dream by Vivienne Dockerty - Free Book Online

to be married before we came away. I’ll take Molly up on deck and get her a breath of air. Mrs. Filbey is confined to her quarters and I was wonderin’ if it would be too much trouble if I brought her back to you again?”
    â€œAh, she’s no trouble, Mr. Filbey and she seems quite content when she’s not after crying for this Maggie. Shall I come with you and watch her while you light a pipe?”
    It was while they were on deck that Clarence met the man who he remembered was being called George Colmayne, whom he had talked to on the
Bessie Belle.
The man looked withdrawn, and was not answering the questions of his little boy, who was tugging on his coat tails.
    â€œThe top of the morning to you” Clarence hailed him cheerfully. “Looks as if we could be in for a spot of golden weather, according to the sky over yonder. I suppose it’ll get warmer the further down the world we sail.”
    He seemed to have struck a chord with the poor weary looking fellow, who suddenly nodded brightly then told his son to join his mother, who was walking along with her other children further along the deck.
    â€œExactly what I was saying to the wife. I know we’ll be into autumn when we land on the other side of the world, but the winters won’t be anything like we have had in Ireland.”
    â€œIs she doing a bit of suffering like my wife is?” Clarence asked, after drawing again on his pipe because it kept going out. “Mine’s taken to her bed, doesn’t seem to be bothering with anything.”
    â€œIt’s being down there in our quarters that’s getting to my wife.” Clarence had the feeling that George was talking on behalf of the two of them when he said it. “She’s used to the fresh country air, walks along the beach, looking out across to the islands at Westport and she liked to help me with the children I used to teach. Now she’s got nothing and she’s worried sick that I won’t get a job as a carpenter when we get there.”
    â€œOf course yer will”Clarence soothed. “There’ll be a thousand and one houses needing to be built for all the folk that’ll be settlin’ there in Adelaide and I’ve heard there’s lots of townships springin’ up all over the place. Have you thought about doing a spot of teachin’ to these children whilst we’re travellin’? Molly is only three, but I’m sure yer could help her count on her fingers.”
    George perked up considerably at his suggestion.
    â€œDo you think I could? Oh, but I’d have to get permission from the captain and it’s difficult trying to get past that Jimmy.”
    â€œLeave it with me” said Clarence, puffing out his chest at the thought that if he hadn’t got the captain’s ear, he certainly had Sir Rodney’s. “And seeing as I like to be philanthropic, (he’d remembered his brother-in-law’s use of the word) I’ll chuck in a shillin’ a week meself.”
    Getting permission for George to teach hadn’t been difficult. It appeared that the captain had noticed the rapport between Clarence Filbey and “his honourable and honourableness” as he had privately named Sir Rodney and Lady Harriet, so when Clarence broached the subject in front of all the guests that evening, Bessie included, as she thought she might be able to keep a little something down, the idea had been roundly applauded.
    â€œCan’t have the children frittering away their time and getting up to mischief,” Lady Harriet boomed. “What did you say the man’s name was, Colmayne? I wonder if he’s related to the Colmaynes from the Scottish borders? Their family originally came from Ireland. Westport did you say?”
    Maura, plain of face but with the Irish beauty of auburn hair and green eyes that could change her appearance to attractive when she got around to smiling, was finding that