Change in the Air

Finally, his father decided to make enquiries for himself. He did not want to worry Sarah yet. Happily settled, Sarah loved this farm which belonged to her husband and was very content with their young family. Then she began to notice in her husband a restlessness. More than this, he was leaving more and more responsibility to Francis and would drive off to town in his buggy, sometimes three times in a week. He was always on his own, and she became a little alarmed when he did not ask her to accompany him. If she asked to go, he would put her off by giving a bad weather report, saying he could bring home anything she needed.

After a whole day away, he would come home and sit down by the fire deep in thought. He had a problem, of that she was sure. If only he would share it with her. The very worst things seemed to spring to her mind and that completely unsettled her, and if that wasn’t enough, letters and important-looking documents arrived for him. He would not open them immediately but would wait until most of the family were in bed and he would pore over them for hours late into the night.

He had become a different man. He did not speak to the children some mornings and would almost ignore Sarah. Sarah was tempted to pry into his business papers which she knew were kept in the small drawer of his writing desk, but no, of course she couldn’t do that. She had confidence in her husband and it would stay that way.

One afternoon Alexander came through the door looking a changed man. In fact, he was the man she knew until these last few weeks that had almost brought disaster. With an air of excitement, as though the last few weeks had never existed, he took Sarah by both hands and said very kindly, “My dear, I have brought a visitor who is here to discuss a very important matter.”

With that he led the way into the parlour where he introduced Mr Kerland, a representative from the New Zealand Land Company. First Alexander talked, and then he sat back and let Mr Kerland go on. The agent unfolded many documents, and for more than an hour they sat there while he explained the reason for the visit. Sarah, although a good listener, could not at first grasp the meaning of what it was all about, but suddenly, as Mr Kerland started to explain the advantages of owning land in New Zealand, she understood and almost held her breath with the shock of it.

He went on to praise the winterless climate and the wonderful farming prospects. He also pointed out the advantages to a family like theirs with growing sons who would no doubt want land of their own. But money! It was practical Sarah who raised the question. Just how would a family the size of theirs be able to buy land and stand the expense of moving everything and everyone to such a distant land?

Mr Kerland assured her that had all been worked out and was more than possible. He then stood to leave, telling her that her husband had all the details and asked them to discuss it among themselves, adding that he would return in a week for their decision. He also said he hoped they would give it every consideration and choose wisely. One last word was to tell them to decide quickly as the large tracts of land acquired from the Māori were selling fast, and with that, he mounted his tired-looking horse and cantered off to interview the next client.

Alexander and Sarah had few words to say to each other at that moment. They were deep in thought when Francis, already aware of what had happened, entered the kitchen. “Sarah,” Alexander began in a half-hearted way, “This evening, when the children are in bed, you and Francis and I will discuss this matter. Now please try to relax.”

Sarah answered, “Can’t you leave it to another evening, Alex? I am going to be so busy and there is so much to think about.” But he did not accept “no” for an answer, and gently laying his hand across her shoulder he assured her everything would be alright, and they had to decide quickly one way or the other.