ground of hatred,
'About time you started rebuilding,' Sean grunted, 'you can't stay on
at Protea Street for ever. ' 'No.' Garry paused before going on:
'I've picked out the new site for the homestead-there, beyond the
number two dip.
Both of them looked away from the roofless ruins, and they were silent
again until shyly Garry asked,
'I'd like you to have a look at the plans. It won't be as big as the
old house now that there is just Michael and I. Could you . . . ?'
'Good,' Sean cut in quickly. 'Why don't you bring them across to Lion
Kop tomorrow evening? Ruth will want you to stay for dinner.'
'I'd like that.'
'Come early,' said Sean, and started to stand up from the rock on which
he sat. He moved heavily, awkwardly-and Garry jumped up to help him.
Hating the weakness of his slowly Mending body, Sean would have brushed
Garry's eager hands away. But he saw the expression on his brother's
face and instead he submitted meekly.
'Give me an arm over the rough ground, please.' He spoke gruffly.
Side by side, with Sean's arm across Garry's shoulder, they moved to
where the buggy waited.
Ponderously Sean climbed up and settled himself into the padded leather
seat.
'Thanks.' He gathered up the reins and smiled down at Garry, and Garry
flushed with pleasure and looked away to the infinite lines of young
wattle trees that covered the hills of Theuniskraal.
'Looks good, doesn't it?' he asked.
'You and Michael have done wonders up here,' Sean agreed, still
smiling.
'Courtney Brothers and Son. ' Softly Garry spoke the name of the new
company which had merged the lands of Theuniskraal and Lion Kop into
one vast estate. 'Now at last it is the way it should have been long
ago.'
'Until tomorrow, Garry.' Sean flipped the reins and the buggy rolled
forward, rocking gently over the uneven Surface of the new road.
'Until tomorrow, Sean,' Garry called after him, and watched until the
buggy was lost to sight among the blocks of dark mature wattle, Then he
walked to his horse and mounted. He sat a while watching the distant
ranks of Zulu labourers singing as they worked. He saw Michael moving
on horseback amongst them, stopping occasionally to lean from the
saddle and urge them on.
And Garry began to smile. The Smile smoothed away the lines from
around his eyes. He touched the horse with his spurs and cantered down
to join Michael.
