hasn’t . . . I mean . . .’
Mrs Travis held up her hand. ‘I didn’t for a minute think he had. But believe me, it’s a lonely life for a woman. Months of
waiting, wondering, worrying . . .’ She fingered the brooch again. ‘No matter how good a man is, it’s still no consolation
and so often they don’t stick to their principles.’ She paused. ‘You have to be mother and father to your children, except
that in my case I never had any. It was God’s will and I became resigned to it. But there are many women who would have changed
places with me. Women left alone to bring up families on a pittance or nothing at all. Often deserted . . .’
‘Joe’s not like that—’ she burst out, unable to stop herself.
‘I’m not suggesting he is, but he’ll never rise any higher than a deck steward.’ Again she silenced Cat’s protests with an
uplifted hand. ‘Think about your mother, Catherine. I expect she started married life in good health and spirits, and look
at what life has left her with! You’re a good girl, you’re not without intelligence and you work hard. I wouldn’t like to
think that you would end up like your poor mother. You can do better, much better, for I think you have sense beyond youryears. Think about it. Think long and hard. Have you any ambitions? Any plans for the future?’
Cat shook her head. She couldn’t tell Mrs Travis about her aspirations, she wouldn’t understand. She lived in another age.
‘Then you should start to think about some. Joe Calligan isn’t the only man in the world. It’s not more than five months since
you came here and look how you’ve changed. I saw potential in you. You’ve grown up into a pleasant, presentable young woman.
A long way from the scrawny child who sat there not so long ago. Given another year . . . I think you understand me. Don’t
fall into the trap, Catherine!’
‘There is something . . .’
‘I knew there was. I sensed it. You would have disappointed me if there hadn’t been “something”.’
‘I want to be . . . I want something I’ve never had! I want to be respected, admired.’
‘Very commendable. Is that all?’
She faltered for an instant beneath the penetrating gaze. ‘I want . . . I want to become a stewardess, but not just any stewardess
on any liner!’
‘Ah, so you, too, have salt water in your veins. Go on!’
‘I want to be a chief stewardess on a White Empress!’
To her suprise the old lady smiled wistfully. ‘Nothing is impossible, my dear. Highly improbable but not impossible. There
is nothing I can do to help you either, apart from a good reference, for the few men in the Canadian Pacific Line that I was
acquainted with through my husband are all dead. But work and don’t let go of your dreams! Let nothing and no one stand in
theway of your ambitions! Oh, I know I’m an old woman, brought up in a different age, but women today have more choice. More
freedom to shape their own destiny. Don’t fall into the poverty trap, keep your goal clearly in sight and don’t be swayed
by arguments or promises! I wish I had the chances you have. The freedom and the rest of my life ahead of me instead of behind
me. Fight for your dream, Catherine, and don’t give up!’
Cat smiled at her, wondering what circumstances had driven her to speak so forcefully about freedom and choice. She had also
given her the encouragement she needed and a few harsh facts to think about. She rose. ‘I won’t! I won’t ever give up! I’ll
make it one day and you’ll be proud of me!’ Suddenly it became so important that this frail old lady should respect her.
‘Unfortunately, I doubt that I’ll live long enough to see that day, but I have great faith in you!’
Cat drew out the duster. There was work to be done and she wasn’t going to sit around moping for the likes of Joe Calligan.
‘Remember what I said. Don’t marry a sailor!’ The gentle voice with overtones of humorous
Mrs Travis held up her hand. ‘I didn’t for a minute think he had. But believe me, it’s a lonely life for a woman. Months of
waiting, wondering, worrying . . .’ She fingered the brooch again. ‘No matter how good a man is, it’s still no consolation
and so often they don’t stick to their principles.’ She paused. ‘You have to be mother and father to your children, except
that in my case I never had any. It was God’s will and I became resigned to it. But there are many women who would have changed
places with me. Women left alone to bring up families on a pittance or nothing at all. Often deserted . . .’
‘Joe’s not like that—’ she burst out, unable to stop herself.
‘I’m not suggesting he is, but he’ll never rise any higher than a deck steward.’ Again she silenced Cat’s protests with an
uplifted hand. ‘Think about your mother, Catherine. I expect she started married life in good health and spirits, and look
at what life has left her with! You’re a good girl, you’re not without intelligence and you work hard. I wouldn’t like to
think that you would end up like your poor mother. You can do better, much better, for I think you have sense beyond youryears. Think about it. Think long and hard. Have you any ambitions? Any plans for the future?’
Cat shook her head. She couldn’t tell Mrs Travis about her aspirations, she wouldn’t understand. She lived in another age.
‘Then you should start to think about some. Joe Calligan isn’t the only man in the world. It’s not more than five months since
you came here and look how you’ve changed. I saw potential in you. You’ve grown up into a pleasant, presentable young woman.
A long way from the scrawny child who sat there not so long ago. Given another year . . . I think you understand me. Don’t
fall into the trap, Catherine!’
‘There is something . . .’
‘I knew there was. I sensed it. You would have disappointed me if there hadn’t been “something”.’
‘I want to be . . . I want something I’ve never had! I want to be respected, admired.’
‘Very commendable. Is that all?’
She faltered for an instant beneath the penetrating gaze. ‘I want . . . I want to become a stewardess, but not just any stewardess
on any liner!’
‘Ah, so you, too, have salt water in your veins. Go on!’
‘I want to be a chief stewardess on a White Empress!’
To her suprise the old lady smiled wistfully. ‘Nothing is impossible, my dear. Highly improbable but not impossible. There
is nothing I can do to help you either, apart from a good reference, for the few men in the Canadian Pacific Line that I was
acquainted with through my husband are all dead. But work and don’t let go of your dreams! Let nothing and no one stand in
theway of your ambitions! Oh, I know I’m an old woman, brought up in a different age, but women today have more choice. More
freedom to shape their own destiny. Don’t fall into the poverty trap, keep your goal clearly in sight and don’t be swayed
by arguments or promises! I wish I had the chances you have. The freedom and the rest of my life ahead of me instead of behind
me. Fight for your dream, Catherine, and don’t give up!’
Cat smiled at her, wondering what circumstances had driven her to speak so forcefully about freedom and choice. She had also
given her the encouragement she needed and a few harsh facts to think about. She rose. ‘I won’t! I won’t ever give up! I’ll
make it one day and you’ll be proud of me!’ Suddenly it became so important that this frail old lady should respect her.
‘Unfortunately, I doubt that I’ll live long enough to see that day, but I have great faith in you!’
Cat drew out the duster. There was work to be done and she wasn’t going to sit around moping for the likes of Joe Calligan.
‘Remember what I said. Don’t marry a sailor!’ The gentle voice with overtones of humorous
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