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sympathetic towards him. Now she had experienced a passionate unfulfilled yearning it had taught her a little more of human needs.
    Determinedly she thrust the thought of Ian from her, seeking relief in driving steadily and easily. The quietness of the countryside calmed and soothed her, and when she reached down she drove straight to the little city chapel she loved. It was dim and restful and the atmosphere of prayer helped her, She knew now that she had been partly at fault, regretting that she had teased Ian with those sexual poses by the pool. She remembered, too, how he had found her on the riverbed, almost totally naked, apparently giving him the belief that she cared little for conventions. Only now, when she had nearly lost so much, could she admit the truth. She wanted Ian, she realised, not as a casual animal passion but as a constant companion who would love and cherish her. After the service she met some friends who invited her for morning tea, but she explained that she wanted to get home.
    What could she answer to her mother’s anxious, ‘How did it go?’
    ‘Marvellous,’ she answered quietly. After all, she could hardly blurt out, ‘I’m in love.’ Her secret was too newly discovered for that. Besides, there was no chance of that love ever being completed.
    ‘My dear Frances, life on the farm seems to suit you!’
    Kathy pirouetted round her sister. ‘You’ve got that vim feeling, that zest for living,’ mimicking the television advertisement. ‘Hey, Sis, what are the boys like?’
    ‘Nothing like you,’ was Frances’ answer as she ruffled her sister’s hair. ‘Where’s Dad?’
    ‘He’s gone to get Aunt Kate for dinner. They should be here soon. Martin’s at the beach with friends.’ Kathy pulled her sister’s case in from the car. ‘Gosh, it’s light!’
    ‘I didn’t bring much home,’ laughed Frances. ‘I’m only here till Tuesday morning.’
    Her sister’s rueful expression told her how sharply young Kathy had missed her. Perhaps it might be possible for Kathy to come out to the farm one day. The Christmas holidays would soon be on them with their six weeks of freedom from school.
    ‘How’s school?’ she asked Kathy.
    ‘Hmm, O.K., I guess. I got the results of my language and social studies exams and they weren’t too bad. I’ve got maths and science this week, so I’ve been studying.’
    Frances’ father arrived then, bringing Aunt Kate for the family meal. There was much merriment in their home. Frances realised how good it felt to be accepted unquestioningly. They lingered over the meal, Aunt Kate keeping them entertained with a string of family jokes. Sunday afternoons were generally relaxed affairs. Frances followed Aunt Kate’s example by resting. Later she gave Kathy a game of tennis and much to that young lady’s delight they were both hard-fought matches.
    As they walked back home Kathy said jokingly, ‘You must be in love, your tennis is lousy!’' She beat a hasty retreat as Frances ran after her, and Frances was left thinking that young Kathy was far too perceptive. Thank goodness she would have these two days to recover herself before going back to the farm.
    Over tea she told them about life on the farm and in particular the shearing. Kathy decided it sounded great fun and was quite disappointed that her elder sister had helped with the catering rather than in the shed.
    ‘It’s not fair! Why do girls have to do the cooking when they could be doing exciting things like shearing?’ Kathy muttered indignantly.
    Mr Elaman jokingly said that if Kathy really wanted to try, many shearing gangs were employing women and some women were extremely good. Kathy was greatly impressed; already she had declared she wanted to be a politician when she grew up, although she' hadn’t decided which party to follow! There was a deal of good-natured chaffing about Kathy being the world’s first champion lady shearer—the family well knew that Kathy was not the most