34

Jeudi 10 Mars 1910

Mr H. is not happy. He comes this morning for first time after the rain. From the start he makes complaints. He says Jordan would drive too slow, because roads are still like mud and with holes.

He arrives planning to take control of the Voisin, open the throttle and feel the power of his machine to reassure himself the record he seeks is close. But when he comes the engine is not attached. I have taken it out to stop the coughing. Instead of piloting, he must watch me work with the spanners. This cannot be rushed.

Ralfbanks talks with Mr H., but does not help his mood. Mr H. feels like Ralfbanks, whose eye is less swollen. An airman who cannot fly.

I hear Ralfbanks tell him his work is complete. He has gathered the parts of the Wright machine that were not broken. But he is not hurrying to return to his job at the Melbourne Motor Garage. And nothing has been heard from Monsieur Schoolmaster. So Ralfbanks waits. Letting the sunshine heal his wounds. Watching me prepare the Voisin for the record he chased himself.

When he returns to his tent, Mr H. tells me something I do not understand until I think on it.

He says Ralfbanks reminds him of Oleg, a performing bear in a travelling circus he worked with fifteen years before. One morning, Oleg’s handler left its cage unlocked by mistake. But Oleg the bear did not escape. It sat on the other side of the cage. Unsure where it would go.

Ralfbanks has told Mr H. he will help him fly. But there is nothing they can do until the Voisin engine is fixed proper.

Mr H. is not happy. But I am content.

Jordan the driver brings me new recordings for the Champion. I have now the Stern Dance Orchestra playing ‘All the Girls on Earth’.

Also ‘The Jewel Song’ from the opera Faust. By Gounod, which M. Bleriot would like.

After Mr H. has departed, I visit Ralfbanks. I show him the new recordings and ask to have my Champion again.

He sees the name on the Gounod recording. Melba.

Fat cow, he says.

I wind the Champion and we listen to this ‘Jewel Song’.

Then we listen again.

The voice is like water bubbling for tea.

Ralfbanks is silent. Then he speaks.

Forgive me, Oldboy. I was wrong. She’s magnificent.