That evening when the other guests had left and Storm, prostrated with
nervous and physical exhaustion, had been put to bed, Sean stayed on to
dinner with the Goldbergs. By now both Ma and Pa Goldberg were fully
aware that Sean's interest in Ruth was not on account of his previous
friendship with Saul .
All afternoon Sean had followed Ruth around the lawns like a huge St.
Bernard behind a dainty poodle.
During dinner Sean, who was extremely pleased with himself, the
Goldbergs and life in general, was able to endear himself to Ma
Goldberg and also dull Ben Goldberg's suspicions that he was a
penniless adventurer. Over brandy and cigars Sean and Ben discussed
the ventures on Lion Kop and Mahobo's Kloof. Sean was completely frank
about the financial tightrope which he was walking, and Ben was
impressed with the magnitude of the gamble and Sean's cold appraisal of
the odds. It was just such a coup as this that had put Ben Goldberg
where he was today. It made him feel nostalgic and vaguely sentimental
of the old days, so that when they went through to join the ladies he
patted Sean's arm and called him
'My boy.'
On the front steps, while he was preparing to leave, Sean asked, 'May I
call on you again, Ruth?' and she answered,
'I'd like that very much.
Now began what was for Sean . a novel form of courtship.
To his surprise he found he rather enjoyed it. Every Friday night he
would entrain for Pieterniaritzburg and install himself in the White
Horse Hotel. From this base he conducted his campaign.
There were dinner parties, either at The Golds or with Ruth's friends
or at one of the local hostelries where Sean played host.
There were balls and dances, days at the races picnics and rides over
the surrounding hills with Storm on her Shetland bouncing along between
them. During Sean's absences from Ladyburg, Dirk moved into the
cottage on Protea Street and Sean was relieved that he seemed to accept
it with better grace.
The time arrived when at last the first blOcks of wattle were ready for
the axe. Sean determined to use this as an excuse to inveigle Ruth
away to Ladyburg. The Goldbergs froze up solid at the suggestion and
Only thawed when Sean produced a written invitation from Ada for Ruth
to be her guest for the week. Sean went on to explain that it was to
be a celebration of his first cutting of bark, which would begin at the
end of the week, and that thereafter he could not leave Ladyburg for
months.
Ma Goldberg, who was secretly delighted at having Storm all to herself
for a whole week, exerted a subtle influence on Ben, and very
grudgingly he gave his approval.
Sean decided that Ruth would be treated like visiting Royalty, the
grand climax to his suit.
As one of the biggest landowners in the district and because of his war
honours, Sean ranked high in the complicated social structure of
Ladyburg. Therefore, preparations for Ruth's visit produced an
epidemic of excitement and curiosity that affected the entire Ladyburg
