You had to be strong to get chosen. You streamed up from the coal boats after the quitting whistle blew. Your face was covered in black dust. You were beat out unless you were young and strong.

That kind of life was all right if you were used to it. But it wasn't a cooper's life, William knew. Especially if the cooper was forty-six years of age like himself.

He took his canvas bag off its hook and picked up Iris's list off the table. It listed the things she wanted him to get for Alice Maud:

Vinegar
Ipecacuanha
Antimonial wine
2 oz. bran
6 oz. rice or sago.

He would go to Thomas McMurdo's for the medicines, and Baine's grocery for the bran, rice and vinegar. The streets were bad for walking. They were full of ruts that made the carts lurch. But he would rather go out than stay in all day. At least he would be useful.

The vinegar mixed with water would cool his child's skin. The bran was for a warm poultice on her throat. The ipecacuanha and the wine would make her vomit. Poor little thing. But Lettie told Iris that was what nurses did in hospital. Then when a child got a little better, you gave her a pudding made of the sago or rice.

William put his tinder lighter in his bag with his list and snare wire. He might check his snares on the hill before dark. He left the house and headed up the south side road, to the bridge.