The Caruso of Colleen Bawn and Other Short Writings. John Eppel

had similar occiputs; for a brief moment Michelle wondered why the dog was behind the wheel; then she noticed the ears. She decided to help Mrs Bangle so she got off her bike, leant it against the nearest tree, and approached Mrs Bangle’s side window.

      “Hi Mrs Bangle,” she said, “can I open the gate for you?”

      “You can but you may not!” she followed every second syllable with a hoot.

      “It’s not a problem, Mrs Bangle,” said Michelle with one hand on the gate latch.

      “Young lady I’m warning you … do not open the gate.” Nuisance growled. “After all I’ve done for that ingrate… how dare he!”

      Michelle decided to appeal to Misheck. She left her bike where it was and walked over to the Van Deventers’ driveway. She kept her head down until she was near enough to speak to Misheck.

      “Yes, Michelle, uthini?”

      “Ngiyaphila. Er, Misheck, aren’t you going to open the gate for Mrs Bangle? She’s -”

      “What is the time Michelle?”

      She looked at her wrist watch: “ It’s ten to two.”

      “My lunch break ends at two; at two I will open the gate for Madam.”

      “But Misheck…”

      Languidly chewing on a stem of blonde grass, moving from a sitting position to a reclining position, using his elbows as struts so he could face Michelle, he said, “Go tell the madam that I will open the gate at two.” His tone was sardonic. Then he spoke to his companions in Sindebele, too quickly for Michelle to follow, and they all burst out laughing.