James Tedder said goodbye to Mr Williamson, thanked him again for saving his life, and for treating him like a person, and not the property of the New South Wales Government.
‘It’s all right, Tedder. You’ve done a good job. Your efficiency will be missed.’
Walking slowly to his hut Tedder noticed the changes to Hobart Town. Roads were being constructed, buildings looked more permanent and there were more settlers arriving with each ship. He stoked the fire, made supper, and opened the book Mr Williamson had given him as a departure gift – “Sense and Sensibility”, by someone called Jane Austen. Tedder had never heard of her, but it had been so long since he had something other than stock lists to read, he was grateful for anything. Mr Williamson told him that he ordered supplies from Lond
