The Takahe Stud

Press, 30 August 1977, Page 12

The Takahe Stud

By

RAPHAEL J. MACLOUGHLIN

Episode 12

Dr Cotton walked quietly out of Penny’s bedroom as the mildly sedated girl lay against the pillow. “Just rest, Penny, and shortly you will go to sleep. You have had an upsetting time. I will call in again to see you later in the week.” “How is she, Bill?” said Garth. “Don’t look so upset; there is nothing wrong

Garth did not feel like eating that evening as he pondered over a cup of tea. “Penny has always been such a good girl: so honest and trustworthy. Yet all of a sudden, we have had one incident after another. And, moreover, only since Paula arrived. Could she be jealous of her cousin? She has become so silent: it is hard to reach her.”

“You have not eaten a thing since lunch; let me cut some ham for a snack,” said Mrs Miles, as Garth entered the kitchen. “I couldn’t eat a thing. I have too much on my mind, thank all the same.” replied Garth. “It is marvellous how Paula has stood by her cousin through all that has happened; she is a lovely girl,” said Mrs Mlles.

with Penny that a week of complete rest will not cure. She is suffering from mental and physical exhaustion; she tends to be very withdrawn. Just keep her calm and I will see you in a couple of days,” replied the doctor. Meanwhile, in the kitchen. Paula was setting a tray to take into Penny.

Meanwhile, Paula tried to coax Penny to eat something. “If you don’t want to eat, try and cheer up; it’s not the end of the world. Your Dad and mine are pretty much alike, you know; pretty stingy with the cash. But, Mom, she gives me quite a bit,” said Paula, in an effort to make conversation.

“Gee. Mrs Miles, the poor kid must have been shattered at the discovery of her dishonesty. If you could have seen her keel over; it was awful,” said Paula. “She is very lucky you did not press charges against her; it would have been a shame for her father,” replied Mrs Miles.

Penny opened her eyes to see Paula carefully placing the prepared tray on the bedside table. “I’ve come to keep you company w'hile you hoe into good old Mrs Miles’s country tucker,” smiled Paula, sweetly. Penny was too full for words.

Garth made his way down the hall towards his den, and paused outside Penny’s bedroom. “If only you had said you needed a loan of $4O, I would have given it to you,” he heard Paula say. “That's funny,” said Garth “Nobody mentioned the withdrawn amount in question. How could Paula have known . . . ?”