2011 - Theses - Flinders University

White Lives in a Black Community: The lives of Jim Page and Rebecca Forbes in the Adnyamathanha communityTracy SpencerVolume One Creative Writing Component: Excerpted Chapters from Volume Three Appendix OneStill, she is company for Beck at times in the kitchen, taking her hot cup of Bovril aftershifts.‘Your family’s had some interest in nursing, haven’t they? Yes. Well, today it wasbedlam—I mean it. The ward for fallen women was overflowing and more beds had to befound. I suppose some will leave their babies with us, so they can get back to work. Where’sthat nice place your Alice is at now?’Becky looks up from her steaming cup, drawing in her breath before preparing to reply.Her maid’s cap hides all but stray wisps of her dark hair, and her strong cheekbones areaccentuated by it. Her face is plain, but when she smiles it is wide and warm and you can seeher small dark eyes sparkle, if you look closely. But at work, she makes only small smilesand keeps her eyes hooded. She is preparing a quiet and short response to Alice’s questionbut is saved the trouble, as the other woman rushes on. Becky lets out her breath slowlyagain, with relief, and clasps the warm sides of her cup in front of her‘Oh, it’s a shame,’ Alice continues. ‘I don’t know what’s becoming of London. Mothersays that too. I’ve half a mind to go back to India one day: that’s where I was born, beforemother brought me home for schooling and father stayed on but succumbed, I’m afraid. 23The green and the sun and the gardens …‘maidan’, I remember. I might just go back. They’realways wanting nurses to go out to the colonies, girls are talking about it all the time.Australia’s the place. Celebrating something called Federation; it all looks very fashionable.’Becky nods: she has seen the pictures in the newspapers, too.‘And all women in Australia have the vote: did you know in South Australia women havehad the vote for seven years, and the sky hasn’t fallen down! 24 I’ve a mind to join Mrs.22