IN MEMORIAM 
59 
small aeroplanes; and jays, toucans, doves, guinea-fowl and ‘go-aways.’ 
Tlie toucans are very funny with their eggs; the hen gets on them in a hole 
in a tree, and the cock builds her up so that only her beak can get out for 
food, and there she has to sit till her eggs are hatched. If the cock gets into 
any trouble, Mrs Toucan is starved — that’s all.” 
The visit to Palapye was followed by one to Pretoria and to Linslade 
near Gwelo where they lived ‘'in rondavels, round plastered huts with tall 
thatched roofs. They are always so cool and lovely, and the low overhanging 
thatch makes a shade all round. The high thatch inside is so pretty and gives 
a lofty space for air. There are stable-doors and a gauze door so that the 
flies, etc. can be combated, and you can keep out the poultry and sleep with 
open doors at night. All between the huts is long grass and a path to each 
door. It is so high up here and so delightfully restful.” 
From Rhodesia she returned to Bloemfontein and visited various parts 
of South Africa, getting an insight into the life of the country such as few 
have been able to do in so short a time. She was loved wherever she went, 
and was .always ready to help in everything that was going on. “I am en- 
joying myself decorating and icing the Xmas cakes; and there are puddings 
to help with too. There is such a lot to do on these farms, but I am supposed 
to enjoy it all and rest all I want.” 
Basutoland was a great joy. “ We had a lovely drive ; I just enjoy the Cape 
carts and the nice leisurely journey. The scenery is grand. All the time we 
are over 5500 ft., and great flat-topped or koppy-shaped mountains are all 
around, with great green valleys and amphitheatres, and more and more 
stretches of mealies and Kaffir corn, all waving and green. It was lovely. 
Constantly there are picturesque hut-villages on the koppies and ledges, and 
great hedges of blue-green Agave full of tall tree-like blooms. All the way we 
met the Basutos, in their brilliant blankets and tall queer straw hats, on their 
strong little ponies ; and the women in the gayest of colours — yellow skirts very 
fashionable — and looking like the parrots at the Zoo for varied brilliance of 
hue, sometimes walking. In the tall mealie and corn acres were odd, gaily 
dressed natives as scarers for the birds ; or often standing like black statues, 
on platforms of boughs, over the precious crops. The country seems very 
thickly populated by natives and the only Europeans allowed in are Government 
officials, missionaries, and traders. Think of me in this grand scenery ! ” 
The visits to Basutoland were often repeated and many charming sketches 
were made, for there were pictures all round her and she saw them at every 
step. Later on arose the rival interest in the botanical aspect of the country 
and Miss Page made some important collections. She also inspired her friend, 
Mrs Beaumont, with an affection for the science and helped her to form a 
teaching herbarium of correctly named local plants for the use of the children 
at Morija. 
