‘It’s my mother’s. Pa kept it till I was grown. I’ve never worn it.’
‘You’re wearing it tonight.’
‘Yes.’
‘Did you know your mother?’
‘She died at my birth. Pa raised me. Pa and a Hottentot servant. And you? Twa said your mother died when you were six.’
‘She was bitten by a pofadder.’
‘That’s horrible. Do you remember your mother?’
‘I remember her hair. I always wanted to touch it. After her bath she let me brush it in front of the hearth, or let me watch while she brushed it. And her smell, I remember that, too.’
‘I would have liked to have known my mother. What she looked like. I have no memories of her.’
‘Mothers are different from fathers. After my father remarried, I had a sister, Vinkie. When I first saw you, I saw something of her in you. I liked you right away.’
‘Me, too. A special liking?’
‘Like a brother.’
‘And Zokho?’
The smile went slowly from his eyes.
‘I thought we wouldn’t talk about Zokho.’
‘We won’t after this. She was special?’
‘Yes.’
‘It’s over between you?’
‘She lives on in Harman.’
‘I know. But, in here,’ she pointed to his heart, ‘it’s over?’
‘You ask hard questions, Neeltje. What Zokho did I can never forgive.’
‘That’s not answering.’
‘The pain will be there for a while, but I have you. I have feeling for you. Feeling to make you my wife. You will help me forget.’
‘You are honest.’
‘I have made mistakes. I’m hoping to make few with you. Now, Neeltje, I’m ready to be impressed by your food. What have you made?’
‘Roast lamb and potatoes and, for later, beskuit.’
‘You’ve spent all day in the kitchen.’
‘No. I made the beskuit yesterday, the food this afternoon.’ She walked to the hearth and turned the potatoes over in the pot, satisfied with their crispness. ‘Sit down, I’ll dish up.’ She had buffed the plates and polished the spoons, but Roeloff was too hungry to notice. He ate everything that was put before him, wiping the plate clean with bread.
‘That was very good. I didn’t know you could cook like that.’
‘You’ve had my food before, many times.’
‘Not like this. This meal was special. The meat was roasted just right, and the potatoes. There was something on it, I think.’
‘Marta Reijnhardt gave us some spices when she was here. I put some pepper on it. And mint leaves.’
Wynand came out from behind the partition.
‘You’ve had your supper?’
‘Yes. Sit with us, Pa. Harman’s asleep?’
‘He’s just closed his eyes.’
‘I see he has a tooth coming out,’ Roeloff said. ‘I’m grateful he’s here. I must thank you. I wouldn’t have been able to look after him by myself.’
‘We’re glad, too. The house has lost its silence. And Pa has a new interest to get him up in the mornings.’
They sat for a few minutes, not speaking.
‘I’ve come for opsit,’ Roeloff said suddenly, addressing Wynand Roos.
