ELLEN # SEVEN

Ellen took in her surroundings. It was a large room with two beds. They had views of the boat harbour from their window.The room was much the same size as their cottage. So the seven of us will be living here for the time being. Surely it won’t be long before the Adam Lodge arrives.

“Barney can you go out and see if you can find something to eat? The children are all tired and hungry. The sooner we get them fed, the sooner we can get them to bed. Then we need to talk.”

Ellen organised all the bundles of belongings in one corner. Unpacking one of her bundles she quickly made up a bed for the two eldest boys on the floor with the linen and handmade quilts she had packed. The girls can share the single bed and Cornelius can share our bed as usual.

Barney burst through the door smiling with his arms laden with hot tatties. 

“Oh Barney, they smell delicious, come children sit down on the floor and eat these while they are hot. Wherever did you find them?”

"There is a tavern just around the corner, I got these beauties from there."

“ Oh yum Da.” 

“Where’s mine?” 

“Oh Patrick you stepped on my toe!” came responses from the children. 

“Barney, I hope we will be given the two shillings each day as you said. We should be able to keep our savings for when we get to the Australia, if it is indeed true.”  

"I am sure it is true my acushla, I will go and get our share each day we are here.  Don't worry."

Ellen smothered a yawn, as she wiped her fingers on her spare hanky, also managing to reach the faces of Cornelius and Maria. She was too far away to stop the other children wiping their hands on their sleeves. Oh well I guess those sleeves will see a lot of wipes by the time we finish this trip!

Settling the children for the night in her usual manner, Ellen arched her back in exhaustion. Oh to lay down on a bed. Why am I so tired? 

Barney had gone outside to smoke his pipe and walk around the wharf to meet other Adam Lodge passengers. Finally Ellen gave up waiting for Barney to return seeking the refuge of her bed. 

When entering the room again, Barney was met with the gentle sound of snoring coming from three corners of the room. Getting quietly into bed beside his sleeping wife, he wrapped his arms around her. “Mmmm,” was the response from Ellen.

“Ssh acushla, sleep now, all's well.”