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Gerald.
    ‘She oughter be broken young,’ replied Jim seriously.
    Some of the men laughed. Her father didn’t join in. ‘You’re married, are you?’ he said rather stiffly.
    After hesitating Jim said, ‘She’s gone off looking for a bigger dong. Reckon we’d better finish off them last bales before the dew starts, eh?’
    The men got to their feet. Gerald hung back a minute. ‘Harriet,’ he said in a strained voice.
    ‘Yes, Father?’
    ‘You’ve done well. Thank you.’
    ‘That’s all right, Dad.’ She had never had such praise from him before.
    ‘You can take a bit of time at the river if you want. I know you like it.’
    ‘Shouldn’t I be getting back to Mum?’ she asked doubtfully.
    ‘She wants a bit of a rest still.’
    ‘Will I see her then?’ said Harriet. She was beginning thoroughly to mistrust the whole situation. ‘When we go back?’
    ‘Yes. Yes, you’ll see her. Just give her a bit more time. All right?’
    ‘All right,’ she agreed.
    When he had gone and she’d gathered in the cups once more, she went down to the river. It had never seemed cooler or more inviting. For a long time she lay on the hollowed tree letting the sweet summer soak through her. After a time the noise of the machinery went away, and she peeked through the branches to see that the paddock was really empty. Out there, the once beautiful silk grass was now harsh stalks. Only here, under the trees on the river bank, was it still rich and soft, luxurious and green, shot with the stars of flowers, and with the underside of each blade sleek as the river water. She wanted to lie close, close like the first day here, or closer, if that were possible.
    Harriet slid her dress over her head. It was so tight against her chest that she had had to struggle with it for weeks past. When she had dropped her panties on the ground, she stretched herself in thegrass. ‘I am a lizard,’ she thought, and pressed herself closer against the earth.
    ‘Going to swim then, are you?’ said a voice.
    She shrieked and reared upwards on her knees. Jim stood in front of her.
    ‘There’s eels in the water,’ she stammered.
    ‘Never fancied them much myself. What you doing here in the nick, then?’
    ‘The what?’
    ‘The nick. Without your clothes.’
    ‘I wanted to get cool.’
    ‘That’s an idea. Wouldn’t mind getting cool myself.’ He put his hands on the ends of the shirt tails hanging out of his dirty old pants.
    ‘No, please don’t,’ Harriet whispered. ‘Why did you come here?’
    ‘Wanted to see what sort of a kid you were. Didn’t expect quite such an eyeful.’
    She reached for her dress. Jim put his foot on it
    ‘Please. Please let me put my dress on.’
    ‘What’s your hurry?’
    ‘I just want to put it on.’
    ‘Stand up.’
    Her skin, pleasantly cool only a minute before, had turned to goose pimples. Slowly she got to her feet, with her arm across her chest, her other hand trying to cover her pubic area.
    ‘I don’t reckon you’re shy. That’s a lot of bullshit You musta wanted it.’
    She shook her head uncomprehendingly.
    ‘Coming down here, and taking your clothes off. You wanted it.’
    His clothes had funny bumps, she noticed. He lifted her hand away from her chest; she didn’t seem to have the strength to resist His lip curled.
    ‘When did you stop growing?’
    ‘I don’t think I have,’ she said. ‘I mean, I think I’ve only just started.’
    ‘Oh, yes. How old are you?’
    ‘Going on thirteen.’
    His hand dropped away. ‘Jesus,’ he said softly under his breath. ‘You sure you’re not putting me on?’ Harriet shook her head. ‘Jesus,’ he said again, under his breath.
    ‘You don’t want to say that,’ said Harriet. ‘My father says you shouldonly say things like that if you’re talking about the Bible and the real Jesus.’
    ‘Oh, but I am,’ said Jim. He surveyed her with wonder, holding onto her hand. ‘What about Jesus wept? That’s a whole sentence outa the Bible.