Baptism of Fire Read Online Free

Uncle Henry was accustomed to being obeyed.
    She edged the parasol forward and Ratu Rabete took it gently as though it were a sacred chalice.
    â€˜ Vinaka ,’ he said. After a thorough investigation, he tucked the object of his affection under his arm and clapped his hands.
    Uncle Henry spoke to the Chief in Fijian, then looked over at his wife. ‘Mrs Stanton, there will be another guest this evening.’
    Another guest? The Chief had practically choked the life from her uncle and now he was inviting him to share a meal! Surely this was taking Christianity a little too far.
    Aunt Constance came forward to usher the Chief to a seat. But not before Ratu Rabete had crushed Uncle Henry in a bear-hug as though they were dearest friends together after a long separation. Then he peered curiously at Hannah’s hair, making the same clicking noise Hannah had heard earlier that afternoon. Even when he wasseated, he kept a firm grip on the parasol.
    â€˜But … Uncle Henry …’
    â€˜There is no need to whisper, Hannah. The Chief does not speak English.’
    â€˜That man just tried to kill you. How can you invite him to share a meal?’
    Uncle Henry looked down at her with exaggerated patience. ‘Because he is the Chief.’
    Confused, Hannah frowned.
    â€˜Not a single thing happens in the village without the Chief’s permission,’ continued Uncle Henry. ‘If he withdraws his support, we must leave this island. And there is much work to be done.’
    Nothing Hannah had seen in the last ten minutes showed support. What would this man do if he didn’t support them? She glanced at the club by the front door.
    â€˜Ratu Rabete would not hurt me. If he’d been serious, he would have clubbed me instantly. He’s rather boyish at heart and likes to test my nerve.’ Uncle Henry positioned his hands as though he were about to embark on a magnificent prayer. ‘I understand it’s your first day, my dear, and you have no knowledge of how things gohere … but, it’s better not to meddle in things you don’t understand. Perhaps next time you will think a little before you act. I am sorry that you were startled but acts of aggression are not permitted in our home, and do not befit one who serves the Lord. We must not take matters into our own hands. God will look after us.’
    She stared at him as though he too spoke a foreign language. He was chastising her for saving his life!
    Uncle Henry closed the front door. The Chief had left it ajar in his eagerness to manipulate her uncle’s voicebox. ‘You see, Hannah, if we behave in the same manner, we become like the people we are trying to convert. If a man wants to clean the mud from his cow, he must first entice the cow out of the mud. He cannot accomplish his purpose by joining the cow in the mud.’
    Hannah blinked and tried to work out what he meant.
    â€˜It was generous of you to make the parasol a gift for Ratu Rabete …’
    â€˜But …’
    â€˜You couldn’t possibly withdraw a gift.’ He shook his head. ‘It wouldn’t do at all.’
    Hannah glanced again at the huge, spiked club, and said nothing, but she resented such arbitrary distribution of her belongings.
    â€˜If a man strikes your cheek, you must learn to turn the other.’ Uncle Henry sat at the head of the table, with Ratu Rabete at his right. ‘Mrs Stanton, perhaps a cooling drink before our other guests arrive?’ he suggested.
    Standing in the centre of the room, Hannah felt a smothering loneliness. She had felt like this not so long ago, when, her heart wrapped in bands of iron, she had stood by a graveside as everyone waited for her to toss the first handful of earth onto two coffins.
    Today, however, there was some relief. Joshua came and stood by her side. She wanted to take his hand but restrained herself. Boys of eleven were usually above such displays.
    â€˜What … what