It was a cold morning, the dew settling heavily upon the pastures. The amber sun leaked through the white clouds and broke on the green dimness of the fields. I kept a steady eye on the down-cupped grooves of the low hills as I drifted on the track to the station. I pushed out my fears for my tiger. I was now governed by a greater power. A source from outside took over my actions.
Tall trees skirted the track on both sides and swayed in the blue air above the rapid singing stream. It wasn’t long until I saw the smoke spirals rising from the billet’s chimney stacks and I was close enough to hear the roof’s loose shingles rattling in the breeze.
“Boy, come down this way,” a man yelled to me, “this cart needs unloading.”
I had hoped to avoid chores, but all the boys were being led to and f
