The Exiles

Mathinna is surprised to find that Eleanor Franklin “seemed utterly nonchalant about her presence” (175), unlike the rest of the people at the house who view her as either a circus animal or a heavy burden. Miss Williamson, the governess, huffs about Lady Jane’s expectation that she must “attempt to educate another savage” (175). Therefore, Eleanor offers to take the job. Three days a week, Eleanor teaches Mathinna French, mathematics, and architecture. When they get to a lesson on calendars, Mathinna finds it irrelevant because the Palawa believe that “time doesn’t move in a line from past to present but [instead] is continuous” (176). The only subject that Mathinna truly adores is French—she finds the language beautiful and melodious.

In taking care of Waluka, who finds his new life to be scary, Mathinna senses the comfort of home. Meanwhile, she listens to the housemaids—all convicts who have been chosen to work for the Franklins—complain about the foolishness of their employers. Sir John is a fool, and most of their success is attributed to Lady Jane’s brains and ambition. She does not adore Eleanor, a product of Sir John’s first marriage, and therefore treats her with disdain much of the time—to Eleanor’s amusement.