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Chapter 3
Thestreetswerethrongedwithcarsseemingtorushinalldirections;therewereveryfewhorses.Theystaredraptlyoutofthetaxiwindowsatthetallbrickbuildings,thenarrowwindingstreets,therapiditywithwhichcrowdsofpeopleseemedtomergeanddissolveinsomestrangeurbanritual.Wellingtonhadawedthem,butSydneymadeWellingtonlooklikeasmallcountrytown.
WhileFeerestedinoneofthemyriadroomsofthewarrentheSalvationArmyfondlycalledthePeople’sPalace,PaddywentofftoCentralRailwayStationtoseewhentheycouldgetatrainforGillanbone.Quiterecovered,theboysclamoredtogowithhim,fortheyhadbeentolditwasnotveryfar,andthatthewaywasallshops,includingonewhichsoldsquillcandy.Envyingtheiryouth,Paddyyielded,forhewasn’tsurehowstronghisownlegswereafterthreedaysofseasickness.FrankandMeggiestayedwithFeeandthebaby,longingtogo,too,butmoreconcernedthattheirmotherbebetter.Indeed,sheseemedtogainstrengthrapidlyonceofftheship,andhaddrunkabowlofsoupandnibbledasliceoftoastbroughttoherbyoneoftheworkingman’sbonnetedangels.
"Ifwedon’tgotonight,Fee,it’saweekuntilthenextthroughtrain,"Paddysaidwhenhereturned."Doyouthinkyoucouldmanagethejourneytonight?"
Feesatup,shivering."Icanmanage."
"Ithinkweoughttowait,"Franksaidhardily."Idon’tthinkMum’swellenoughtotravel.
