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simultaneously It was many long seconds before they realized that the tiny cleft was no deformity but very much as nature had intended it.
"It's a girl!" said Fly
"A girl!" echoed Sebastian, and quickly pulled down the shawl to preserve his daughter's modesty.
"It's a girl, Rosa smiled, wan and happy.
"It's a girl," cackled Na
Maria Rosa Oldsmith had arrived without fuss and with the minimum of inconvenience to her mother, so that Rosa was on her feet again within twenty-four hours. All her other activities were conducted with the same consideration and dispatch. She cried once every four hours; a single angry howl which was cut off the instant the breast was thrust into her mouth. Her bowel movements were equally regular and of the correct volume and consistency, and the rest of her days and nights were devoted almost entirely to sleeping.
She was beautiful; without the parboiled, purple look of most new-barns; without the squashed-in pug features or the vague, squinty eyes.
From the curly cap of silk hair to the tips of her pink toes, she was perfection.
It took Fly
"Don't you think Maria looks just like Daddy the same mouth and nose? Look at her eyes."
Sebastian opened his mouth to deny the resemblance emphatically but closed it again, as Rosa kicked him painfully on the ankle.
"She is the image of him. There's no doubting who her grandfather is."
"Well, I suppose... If you look closely," Sebastian agreed unhappily.
At the end of the veranda, Fly
Look at those eyes no doubt who her Granddaddy is!"
He interspersed his observations with warnings and instructions, "Don't get so close, Bassie. You're breathing germs all over her."
"Rosa, this child needs another blanket.
When did she have her last feed?"
It was not long before he started bringing pressure to bear on Sebastian.
"You've got responsibilities now. Have you thought about that?"
"How do you mean, Fly
"Just answer me this. What have you got in this world?"
"Rosa and Maria," Sebastian answered promptly.
"Fine. That's just great! And how are you going to feed them and clothe them and... and look after them?"
Sebastian expressed himself well satisfied with the existing arrangements.
"I bet you are! It isn't costing you a thing. But I reckon it's about time you got up off your bum and did something."
"Like what?"
"Like going and shooting some ivory."
Three days later, armed and equipped for a "
poaching expedition, Sebastian led a column of gun-boys and bearers down the valley towards the Rovuma river.
Fourteen hours later, in the dusk of evening, he led them back.
"What in the name of all that's holy, are you doing back here?" Fly
"I had this premonition." Sebastian was sheepish.
"What premonition?"
"That I should come back, "muttered Sebastian.
He left again two days later. This time he actually crossed the Rovuma before the premonition overpowered him once more, and he came back to Rosa and Maria.
"Well," Fly
"Mohammed" he bellowed. "Get my gear packed."
Fly
This expedition was a far cry from Sebastian's amiable and aimless wandering in German territory. Fly
Sebastian was impressed by the elaborate precautions that Fly