Canadian Life

When at last they cozy up to the steep hills covered tightly with conifer trees, rising almost straight out of the water near Halifax, an almost uncanny calm surrounds the ship. The water surface is like glass, a motionless mirror all around. It's difficult to accept that just a few miles away there must be the usual swells and heaves and waves.

At Halifax the immigrants board a train. Jack is glad to find Dora is going the same way as far as Winnipeg. They can visit and tease each other for a few more days.

The train ride is monotonous for the children, but they find an outlet in cards, in reading, and their favorite game, batting balloons around, volleyball style. Luckily the other passengers are usually quite tolerant; they even join in once in a while. Funny to see a businessman in a suit swatting a balloon about!

At each stop Mom and Dad take turns scouting for good buys in deli items and basic groceries. Their tickets allow for no berths or meals, so they make do mostly with sandwiches.

Jack wonders about this. He hasn't noticed any significant shortage of money before now, other than penny pinching, the Dutch national pastime. He watches for an opportunity to talk to Mom alone. "Mom, how come we're living on sandwiches?"

"We don't have the money for anything else, Vick."

"Was all the money used up with everyone having to go to Bhutan for the funeral?"