2011 - Theses - Flinders University

tomorrow,’ and he places a set of keys in the hand she involuntarily holds out. He pushes ajar containing coins and notes towards her as well, and she takes it in her other hand. She isnot sure what to do.‘I won’t say goodbye, Mr Page, because I hope that you will soon come back to theMission.’ But she can see Jim is not listening.‘I can’t go down; I can’t go down,’ he is muttering.‘Sorry, Mr Page?’He looks up, startled. ‘Yes, yes I am. The Lord has left me and my spirit has gone.Rebecca studies him; he is looking hard at the large gum tree in the creek bed. She sees hehas nicked himself shaving.‘Mr Page, would you like me to put something on that little cut there? Come in, and sitdown, while I get the salve.’ She makes to go inside.‘No, no, the mail truck will be here soon. I must be there for it. Thank you, Mrs Forbes.’Rebecca feels a churning in her stomach, watching him walk quickly back over the rise, bothher hands full. She looks at the items she is holding, with a mixture of resentment and fear.She knows something is very wrong.A plume of dust marks the arrival of the mail truck, like an exclamation mark coming tosettle over the community.127