‘I know.’
‘And to ask your permission to marry Neeltje. I’ve nothing to offer except my word that I will love and protect her; she will not want for anything.’
‘I’m sure she won’t. And she would be happy with you even if she had just the clothes on her back. I’ve never seen Neeltje so happy.’
‘We haven’t talked about Harman. His mother’s Sonqua, his father an Africaander.’
Wynand looked at the young man who was soon to become his son-in-law. Roeloff had learnt his lessons the hard way. He did not know one more able, or more suitable for his daughter.
‘We’ve had him from his mother’s womb, Roff, he’s ours. It won’t be kind out there for him. He’ll have his troubles when he’s older, but, he’s yours and Neeltje’s. Neeltje thinks she’s given birth to him the way she fusses. What of his mother?’
‘She’s returned to her people.’
‘She won’t come back to claim him?’
‘No.’
Wynand took a beskuit from the plate Neeltje had set before them. His expression became serious.
‘We’re all part of the same family now, Roff. You and Neeltje have my blessing, and you must look on this as your own home. When you’re married, we can build near the kopje if you want to live separately, or add on to the house. You don’t have to make your home elsewhere.’
‘I wasn’t planning on leaving you here by yourself. Neeltje might not marry me then.’
‘Neeltje would follow you anywhere. And you might move on, for land of your own. This will be yours and Neeltje’s one day, and for all the grandchildren that will follow. We want a lot of them running around.’
‘Thank you. It’s a good place to raise children.’ He looked at Neeltje. ‘When we’re ready and have enough money, we’ll go for a few weeks to the Cape. I promised myself I would see it.’
‘I don’t know if that’s such a good idea,’ Wynand smiled. ‘You might not want to come back. I was down there with Neeltje’s mother. It’s a beautiful place, and even more built up now, I believe. Lots of people, things to see. There are places where you can go and sit down and take a drink and meet people from the interior, from the community, sailors and merchants and all kinds of travellers to the Cape.’ He looked at Roeloff. ‘You don’t have to wait till you’re ready. We’ll have a few free weeks coming up between crops. There’s a wagon and oxen. You and Neeltje can go and get acquainted with each other by the sea.’
‘That is generous,’ Roeloff said. ‘But what about all the work here?’
‘I’ll manage with the Koi-na. Twa can look after the sheep.’
Roeloff turned to Neeltje.
‘What do you say, Neeltje?’
‘I don’t think Pa should be here alone for such a long time.’
‘So now you talk as if I’m not here?’ Wynand asked.
‘What about Harman?’
‘We’ll take him with us.’
‘Or leave him with me,’ Wynand got up. ‘Twa and I can look after him. Well, you two talk about it. You have lots to talk about. I must turn in—before that candle burns out.’
‘I have to leave when it’s out?’
‘Yes,’ Wynand smiled, going behind the partition. ‘But Neeltje will know where to find another.’
Roeloff put a thick piece of wood on the fire in the hearth.
‘I like your father.’
Neeltje’s heart swelled. She had everything: the man she wanted, and her father satisfied.
‘I’m glad you and Pa get along.’
He came to sit next to her on the bench.
‘When should we set the date, Neeltje? There’s no point waiting. How about the beginning of winter?’
‘June’s four weeks away.’
‘It’s not enough time for you to get ready?’
‘It’s plenty. And what’s there to get ready? We will just have a few people.’
‘You’re happy, Neeltje?’ he took her hand.
‘Yes.’
‘Better sit over there, in your father’s chair,’ he put her hand back in her lap. ‘I don’t trust myself so near you.’
‘Can you read to me, Roff?’
‘You have books?’ he asked, wondering why he hadn’t asked before.
