2011 - Theses - Flinders University

Nepabunna, December 20th 1935‘Mr Page?’ Ted called at the closed door of the missionary hut. The light was falling andthere was no smoke coming from Jim’s chimney. Ted had been watching the hut from hiscamp since the mailtruck had left that afternoon, waiting for Jim to distribute the mail. But hehadn’t emerged from the hut at all.The door opened, and Jim stood to one side of it in the gloom of the unlit hut. ‘Ted,’ hesaid.‘You feeling alright, Mr Page?’‘I’m not ill, no, Ted. But I think I might go down to Beltana and see Reverend Patterson.Maybe when Mr Harvey comes back.’ 186‘Do you want me to get Mrs Forbes see you?’‘No, no thanks. I don’t need any medicine. Thanks Ted. Oh, I’ll bring the mail in themorning with the rations. Haven’t finished sorting it just yet.’ Jim closed the door, and Tedturned away, wondering.Nepabunna, Sunday December 22nd 1935Most of the yuras have been out to have a look, but there is still nothing happening in thechurch and it is nearly eleven o’clock. Maybe it’s because Christmas Day is so close. Ormaybe it is because Mr Page isn’t well. He hasn’t seemed himself.At that moment, nothing is in Jim’s head. A letter lies unfolded on his bed, its handwritingas gracefully curvaceous as his own. But its punctuation was sharp, like the tone he hearsringing in his ears. His ‘students’, his ‘girls’, his ‘loves’? How could she have known? It125