Farmerettes Read Online Free PDF Page A

veteran of the Great War, flies brilliantly with only one arm and one eye, and he’s not the only one-armed pilot in our group. The chaps at the RAF air bases like to tease us that ATA stands for “ancient and tattered airmen,” but they know our value.
    The other women fliers are skilled and daring pilots who had adventurous lives before the war. Winnifred was a stunt pilot in an air circus. Gloria danced ballet, and Mona played international hockey. They’re a jolly lot—dedicated and serious about flying, but lots of laughs off duty.
    What binds us all is our love of flight and our desire to win this war. When you realize that, before the war, even the wife of the air minister wasn’t allowed to enter an aircraft, we’ve come a long way.
    Let me know all about the farm you’re assigned to, and what you do there. You may borrow my Wellington boots to slosh around in, and take some good hand cream with you.
    I miss the family, the cottage, and especially you, but what I’m doing is important—and exciting. This summer you too will have new adventures, an important job, and fun. And who knows, perhaps one of the tomatoes or peaches you harvest will end up on my plate!
    Love as always,
    Kathryn.
    Binxie tenderly folded the letter, and tucked it into her dresser drawer. She wouldn’t let Kathryn down. She was going to become a farmerette.
    Saturday, May 22, 1943
    Isabel
    â€œHas the mail arrived yet?” When Isabel heard a noise at the front door, she dropped her knitting on the couch and hurried to open it.
    â€œDon’t look so disappointed.” Her sister Gloria waddled in and hugged her.
    â€œIt’s becoming hard to get near you,” Isabel said, affectionately patting her sister’s large tummy.
    â€œOnly five more weeks.” Gloria had gained too much weight, but she glowed with happiness.
    â€œGloria!” Mrs. Lynch swept into the hallway and embraced her oldest daughter. “Come in, sit down. How are you feeling?”
    Once they were seated in the living room, Mrs. Lynch offered tea. “Itsy baked some lovely scones today.”
    â€œMom, I’ve baked before.” But you did most of it, Isabel added to herself.
    â€œOh, honey, of course. It’s just so hard to see my girls grown up. Here’s Gloria expecting her first baby, Rosemary and her husband moving to Toronto for the duration. And now my baby is engaged and poring over the Woman’s Home Companion. I have to get used to it all.”
    Isabel saw the quick roll of her sister’s eyes. Gloria had expressed her opinions about Isabel’s engagement several times already. “Seventeen is too young to marry. Why, Itsy can’t even make her allowance last a week.”
    â€œI’ll be eighteen in July.” Isabel had defended herself. “And we can’t marry until this war ends, and who knows how long that will be. You were engaged to Walter at nineteen.”
    â€œWalter was twenty-three, finishing university, with an excellent position waiting for him.”
    â€œBilly will go back to school to earn his law degree.” Isabel hated sounding defensive. She wasn’t that young. Besides, this was war, and priorities had changed.
    â€œDon’t worry, Mom,” said Gloria, patting her tummy. “You’ll soon be a busy grandmother.”
    â€œI’ll make the tea.” Isabel excused herself. In the kitchen she set the kettle on the stove and paced back and forth until the water boiled. Then she prepared the tea and scones, and carried them back to the living room.
    Gloria and her mother were discussing baby blankets, and while they chatted, Gloria was absentmindedly knitting on Isabel’s project. “You dropped some stitches around the thumb,” she said, as Isabel handed her a cup. “I’ll give it a quick fix.”
    â€œThank you.” Isabel forced a smile. She wanted those mitts perfect for Billy.
    As