2011 - Theses - Flinders University

But now the wood stove is as cold as the chill iron walls, carrying the touch of winternights far into the day. Its fire grill is dark and dead, with blackened embers that have notbeen scraped out. Mrs Forbes has not been there for two days, and for more than a weekbefore that could not tend to it herself after a heavy cold took hold of her.Mrs Forbes lies on the mended white sheets Florence Hathaway has used to make up thespare bed in the missionaries’ house. Several gray government blankets are pulled up to herchin, but she still shivers. There is nothing of her, just a vague mound beneath the bedclothes. She is quiet.Jack and Joyce and the grandchildren have been to see her, but could not stay for long.Raymond has had to return to work as well, after trying to tend her in her cottage. Florencetook up her care, visiting five times a day, until with the Flying Doctor’s permission, theHathaways moved her into the mission house. 246 Now Mrs Forbes lies still, taking smallbreaths, with her eyes shut so she can see the places her memories take her. As Florence turnsher, and inserts a thermometer between her lips, Becky is feeling warm brown hands on herbody in the sandy creeks of the Corner Country, where borders meet, and are crossed, whereher two pink sons were delivered from her pale body into the rich brown hands of themidwives, who taught her how to bring forth life. As Florence tucks the blankets in aroundher, Rebecca feels the warmth of the earth where Jack has made a bed for his family, amongstthe sea of sandhills flickering orange and black in the campfire light.The thermometer is withdrawn, and there is silence. Then:‘A little cold water, perhaps, Mrs Forbes?’171