Gertrude bit her lip, lifted her napkin up to cover her mouth. Wilz had picked on the one thing she knew their father could not refuse her assistance with. Mama’s charities. He swallowed the mouthful of soup before letting the spoon clatter onto his plate. Wilz merely smiled and broke off a small piece of bread, crumbling it on her side plate as Papa’s face turned a viscous beet red. His mouth worked as if he was grasping for words but no sound came out. For a moment, Gertrude wondered if he was having a seizure.
“Sounds as though they have no choice, Jacob. Far be it for Wilhelmina to let down the family’s good name. I do believe Gertrude would be a great help to her. Why,” Ernest dabbed his lips with his napkin, “I can keep an eye on them if you like. I’ll be at the club most of this week seeing to business. It would be my pleasure to escort the girls on an evening out if they have time.”
Gertrude held her breath waiting for their father to try to dissuade their poorer cousin from taking them out. Wilz is so clever the way she manages to manipulate Papa. I wish I could be more like her.
“What a wonderful idea. Thank you, Ernest. We’d love that, wouldn’t we? All work and no play would make for a dreadfully dull week away.”
“Um, yes. Yes, we would. That’s if it’s alright with Papa.”
“It seems I have little say in the matter. I dislike being railroaded.” He glared at his nephew before casting his gaze over the rest of the table.
“Now, now, Papa. You know I wouldn’t do that to you. I genuinely need help and who better than Gertrude. It makes perfect sense. I’m sure you’ll agree once you see how clever she is at organizing people. Why the poor girl is hiding her talents from us all, I happen to know she is.”
“Humph.” He picked up his spoon and finished his soup, taking the time to come back with one last barb. “So long as you don’t bring up the idea of letting her rush off and join the Red Cross. I won’t countenance it. Plenty here to do, in my opinion. Bloody wars have taken enough of this family and I’ll not sacrifice my youngest daughter.” Gearing up on his favourite topic, Wilz remained silent and let him have his way. “Having my brother die in my arms on the shore at Gallipoli was enough payment from this family. Damned if I’ll let them have anyone else.”
Used to his outbursts and opinions of the war effort, she remained silent, knowing that to disagree or offer an opinion would only prolong the agony.
He continued. “Of course, if you could see your way clear to follow in your father’s footsteps, Ernest, make something of yourself, that would be more than appropriate. It’s a man’s duty, not a woman’s.”
The collective gasps from around the table did nothing to deter their father’s tirade. “If it was good enough for your father and I to put our lives on the line, I fail to see why you shouldn’t do the same.”
“Papa, that is grossly unfair. How on earth do you expect Ernest to serve his country with a gammy leg? You’re being petty and ill-mannered.” Wilz dropped her spoon and glared across the table. “Why you must continue to harass poor Ernest is beyond me. It’s cruel and unnecessary. He didn’t ask to be injured in that tractor accident. You were there, you know how he has suffered.”
“Please, Wilz, stop. It’s no use arguing with him. He’ll never change his mind and I for one, no longer listen to that pitiful argument.” Ernest smiled, it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Gertrude’s heart ached for him. A terrible accident while helping Papa on the farm had permanently damaged his leg, and now Papa was as good as handing him a white feather for it. Not fair and certainly not nice to have it brought up again and again.
“I agree. I think it’s best we change the subject, Papa.”
After dinner, Papa insisted Ernest retire with him to the study to smoke, forgetting about the earlier conversation. With a look that said much, he followed Papa from the dining room. The girls hurried upstairs, using the excuse that Gertie needed to know what to pack for the upcoming trip. Once they were in Wilz’s bedroom with the door closed behind them, they burst out laughing.
“Oh my goodness. His face!” Wilz held her hands over her chest, tears gathering in her eyes. “I did think Papa was going to have an episode when I insisted you come with me.”
“Me too. I was so sure he would refuse you. I cannot believe it, Wilz, you’re going to have to stop baiting him like that. I’m going to Sydney with you to work on your charities. At last.” She stood in the centre of the room and twirled around with her hands out wide. “Free at last.”
“Not quite, little sister, but close enough for now.” Wilz walked over to the window and stared down over the driveway below, thinking. She glanced at her sister before gliding over to the other side of the room. Wilz dropped onto her bed and patted the cover. “Sit beside me. We need to plan this carefully.”
Gertrude bounced down on the bed, she could hardly contain the joy as excitement bubbled in her chest.
“Right. We need to make sure you get to the Red Cross office and find out all you can about joining up. If you need me to vouch for you I will.” She thought for a moment. “Perhaps Ernest will give his permission. I’m sure I can convince him that it’s the best thing to do.”
Gertrude’s eyes widened and
