a short story~by lester a. earnshaw

New Zealand ferns may grow as high as 10 meters (33ft). The silver fern is the logo of New Zealand's world-renowned All Black rugby team.

Good-bye, Mister Howard.

  "HELLO, Mister Howard. This is Lester Earnshaw. Do you remember me?"
  "What's that, boy? You'll have to speak up."
  "I said, I'm Lester Earnshaw. I lived in Otane, before the war."
  "In Otane? What about Otane?"
  "Sir, I said that I lived in Otane."
  "You lived in Otane? Is that what you said?"
  "Yes, and that my name is Lester Earnshaw."
  "Earnshaw...? Aye, I remember. Dick Earnshaw. I bought my pipe tobacco from you. You didn't bring some of that good stuff with you, did you?"
  "I'm sorry, Mister Howard, it was my father who had the shop. I'm his son, Lester. I used to mow your lawns."
  "You mowed my lawns? Is that what you said?"
  "Yes, and I used to help you in your workshop."
  "What about my workshop?"
  "I helped you to put radios together in your workshop. You had trouble with your eyes. You taught me to build a crystal set."
  "I did? Well, I built a lot of wirelesses until my eyes got bad. I even built a transmitter. Used to talk all around the world on it until the government took it away."
  "That was because of the war, sir. They took mine, too."
  "That's right. I forgot you were in the war. You were a sapper, I seem to remember. Weren't you wounded?"
  "I think you are talking about my father, sir. In World War One. He was wounded in the Battle of--"
  "I flew Sopworth Camels. I don't think I ever told you that. Unstable as hell. Killed more of my mates than the Germans did."
  "Mister Howard, I live in America now and I only learned yesterday that you were here. I just had to come and thank you for all you did for me. I'm in electronics because of you and I've done well. I can't thank you enough. If there's anything I can do for you--"
  "I used to talk to America all the time, until the Government took my transmitter way."
  "Mister Howard, I still have that crystal set we built. I have a display window in the lobby of my factory in America, and that set sits right out in the front. I build microprocessor controllers and all kinds of equipment these days, but nothing has ever given me a bigger thrill than the first time we got that crystal set working."
  "I'm not hearing you well. You'll have to speak up, lad."
  "I said... I said that that I still have that first crystal set we built."
  "Oh, aye. You've still got it, you say?"
  "Yes, I've got it on display--"
  "I built sets for half the town. I don't remember giving you one. You say that you don't have any of that tobacco with you? I'm trying to think of its name. Great stuff. Not like the stuff you get today."
  "I'm sorry, Mister Howard, I don't have any tobacco with me. But if you'll tell me the name of it, I'll be pleased to get you some. You're allowed to smoke in here?"
  "Of course I'm allowed to smoke in here! I smoke where I damn-well please. You're like everyone else... trying to boss me around...."
  "No, Mister Howard, I wasn't.... I'm sorry. Mister Howard, I must be going, But I cannot leave New Zealand without thanking you. If it hadn't have been for you, speaking to my father as you did, he would never have let me get into electronics. I can't thank you enough."
  "Did I tell you that I used to talk to America until the Government took my transmitter away?"
  "Yes, you did tell me. They took mine, too. They took everyone's. Because of the war. But I must go now. Before I go, though, it's a beautiful day outside, would you like me to wheel you over by the window?
  "I remember--Dark Havelock."
  "What's Dark Havelock, Mister Howard?"
  "That tobacco. Great stuff. When you get back to your shop, would you send the boy up with some? They don't have that good stuff here."
  "I'll do that, Mister Howard. But first, let me put you near the window. Now... how's that?"
  "When you can't see, one place is as good as another. You won't forget the tobacco?"
  "I'll do what I can, Mister Howard, if it's still available. If it isn't, I'll get you something as good. And now I must be going."
  "Speak up, boy. I can't hear you."
  "I'm just saying good-bye, Mister Howard."
  "Good-bye! You're leaving already? You won't forget my tobacco?"
  "No, Mister Howard. I'll not forget. Good-bye. Good-bye and thank you, sir. Thank you."

end

BACK