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[Page 72]
-41-
We had bad weather for our two days stay at Auckland, and belied the reputation I had given it to my fellow passengers as a beauty city. Somehow it seemed to have shrunk, that, I conclude, was the result of my extended vision since my visit to it sixteen years previously.
FINIS.
There was nothing to detract from Sydney's Harbour reputation when we arrived four days later. It was a beautiful refreshing morning. No one grumbled at the early call for the medical and passport officials, who came aboard.
With war precautions still existent, the formalities were long and tedious, but news from home helped to wile away some of the time. Mine was by no means pleasant, for my husband's letter said there was no news of Ron, and Cecil had grown tired of his inactivity, and before he knew of my home-coming had arranged to return as adjutant on a troopship, and had sailed a fortnight previous. My heart sank for I thought after all I must have done the wrong thing. Perhaps Ron had suffered a relapse, and was unable to leave. Here I was and again separated from my boys.
I was disappointed too, in that there was no word from a Sydney friend whom I hoped would meet me, and concluded she was away at her station home.
With the day before me, there seemed no need for hurry, and I leisurely made my adieux, and waited for the Customs examination. That done, I made my way through the barrier, and, to my great surprise the first of a long row of waiting people was my dear friend, who loyally had stood for two hours to receive me.
We drove to the station, found there was no sleeping berth available for that night, and I readily yielded to her persuasion to wait until the next, and after my strenuous travel, very much appreciated the comfort of her home, and her warm welcome at Neutral Bay.
In good time the next evening, we got to the station and saw to my luggage. Everything satisfactorily fixed up, we strolled towards the entrance to meet an expected friend, when I saw a flight-lieutenant