I suppose we'd better go home. What about our things? asked Garrick.

We can't carry all that, we'll have to send for them later. Come on.

They walked out through the town and along the road to the farm. They

had almost reached the bridge on the Baboon Stroorn before either of

them spoke again.

what do you reckon Pa will do? asked Garrick. He was only putting into

words the problem that had occupied them both since they left the

school. Well, whatever he does, it was worth it. Sean grinned.

Did you see me clobber him, hey? Smackeroo, right in the chops. You

shouldn't have done it, Sean. Pa's going to kill us!

Me too and I didn't do anything You sniffed, Sean reminded him.

They reached the bridge and leaned over the parapet side by side to

watch the water.

How's your leg? asked Sean.

It's sore, I think we should rest a bit. All right, if you say so, Sean

agreed.

There was a long silence, then, I. wish you hadn't done it, Sean.

Well, wishing isn't going to help. Old Nose-Holes is as punched up as

he'll ever be and all we can do is think of something to tell Pa. He

hit me, said Garrick. He might have killed me. Yes, agreed Sean

righteously, and he hit me too. They thought about it for a while.

Perhaps we should just go away, suggested Garrick.

You mean without telling Pa? The idea had attraction.

Yeah, we could go to sea or something, Garrick brightened.

You'd get seasick, you even get sick in a train. Once more they applied

their minds to the problem.

Then Sean looked at Garrick, Garrick looked at Sean and as though by

agreement they straightened up and started off once more for Theunis

Kraal.

Ada was in front of the house. She had on a wide-brimmed straw hat that

kept her face in shadow and over one arm she carried a basket of

flowers. Busy with her garden, she didn't notice them until they were

halfway across the lawn and when she did she stood motionless. She was

steeling herself, trying to get her emotions under control; from

experience she had learned to expect the worst from her stepsons and be

thankful when it wasn't as bad as that.

As they came towards her they lost momentum and finally halted like a

pair of clockwork toys running down. Hello, said Ada. Hello, they

answered her together.

Garrick fumbled in his pocket, drew out a handkerchief and blew his

nose. Sean stared up at the steep Dutchgabled roof of Theunis Kraal as

though he had never seen it before. Yes? Ada kept her voice calm.

Mr Clark said we were to go home, announced Garrick.

rWhy? Ada's calm was starting to crack.

Well? Garrick glanced at Sean for support. Sean's attention was still

riveted on the roof.

Well . . . You see Sean sort of punched him in the head until he fell

down. I didn't do anything. Ada moaned softly, Oh, no! She took a

deep breath. all right.

Start at the beginning and give me the whole story.

They told it in relays, a garbled rush of words, interrupting each other

and arguing over the details.

When they had finished Ada said, You better go to your room. Your

father is working in the home section today and he'll be back for his

lunch soon. I'll try and prepare him a little. The room had the cheery

atmosphere of a condemned cell.

How much do you reckon he'll give us? asked Garrick.