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Hagan and another mother appeared with their babies and stayed two hours or more. I finally went on with my work of unpacking the storage box. At the same time they are always ready to help; for instance, the other day, when I was doing some washing, Mrs. Lavarello coming in, at once began upon it, and then went to help Rebekah with more at the watering.
When I got home I found Graham entertaining Mr. and Mrs. Lavarello. They had come with milk and a loaf of bread. They bake the loaf in an iron pot with a lid, on which they light the fire. Lavarello is one of the shipwrecked Italians. Ruth Swain, a girl of seventeen, next came in, then two little boys, and finally Mrs. Repetto.
A day or two ago I said to Robert Lavarello, a boy of ten who is supposed to be somewhat of a cook, "Could you make a loaf of bread?" "Yes," he answered, "I think I could." "Well," I said, "try, and bring the loaf for me to see." The next morning he appeared before breakfast triumphantly bearing a plate with a loaf on it covered with a white cloth to which was pinned the Italian tricolour.
It ought to have been sewn up, and Repetto intended to do that, but Lavarello dissuaded him. Repetto is quite a doctor and surgeon too. When, a few years ago, old Susan Swain fell and broke her left leg at the shin into splinters, he very cleverly set it, and she now walks about as well as ever, and shows no sign of lameness even in spite of her not having altogether obeyed his instructions.
Milk at present is not obtainable and potatoes are getting very scarce. Saturday, September 15. This morning I photographed the Repetto and the Lavarello families, who want to send photographs to their relatives in Italy. Monday, September 17. We are taking a week's holiday, but to-day there has been little rest. I was up by 7.15 to do laundry work, then at 9.30 was with Mrs.
John Baptist Lavarello, a boy of twelve, and about the most intelligent lad here, helped him. I have drawn up a list of the people, starting from the house furthest east. The figures after the names denote the age. Mrs. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Green. Alfred, 17. Ethel, 15. Maria, 11. Johnny, 9. Christopher, 1. Mr. and Mrs. Sam Swain, senior. Charlotte, 21. Lily, 19. Ruth, 17. Selina, 9. Maggie, 7.
We turn out most excellent bread now, so that our many failures of the past have somewhat sunk into oblivion. Early this morning I was called by Mrs. Lavarello to her boy Robert who had injured his leg in cutting flax. The cut was a bad one and ought to have been stitched; I did not attempt that, but washed and bandaged it and left injunctions that he should give it complete rest.
In time, I fear, these beautiful birds will be driven from the island. Saturday, October 5. I spent the morning gardening and in the afternon went to meet Graham, who with John Glass and his wife, Johnny Lavarello, Maria Green and Mary Repetto had been to the ponds. They had thoroughly enjoyed the day, the children especially, as they had not been there before.
They can build if they like, for a few years ago on his marriage Bill Rogers built a house which looks very well; getting timbers for the roof is the great difficulty. We hear that Lavarello was very sorry he had refused his help to build the room and that night paced up and down vexed with himself for so doing. Sunday, April 7.
Charlie, 4. Miss Cotton. Mr. and Mrs. John Glass. Florence Swain, 3. Mrs. Miss Caroline Swain. Mr. and Mrs. Lavarello. John Baptist, 10. Robert, 8. Willie, 6. Percy, 3. Mrs. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Hagan. Emma, 12. Mabel, 9. David, 5 months. Mrs. Ben, 35. Rebekah, 28. Mrs. Lucy Green is living with Mrs. Eliza Hagan, and Miss Cotton in an annexe to the house in which Bob Green lives.
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