Potiki

Roimata, James and Tangimoana are waiting, as they usually do after school, for Mary to return home so that they can all drink tea together. When Mary does not arrive, Roimata becomes concerned, especially as Mary had complained of pain that morning. From the window, she then sees Mary heading towards the beach, walking “differently” (32) and “more awkwardly” (32) than usual. Seeing that Mary has gone right to the water’s edge and appears to be holding something, she sends Tangimoana to fetch her. When Mary does not respond to Tangi’s calls, she follows Mary into the water and snatches from her arms whatever it is that she is holding. Tangi returns to the house visibly upset and Roimata is shocked to see that she has brought back with her a “misshapen and cauled baby boy,” to which Mary has just given birth (33). She then sends Tangi to tell Hemi’s brother, Stan, to bring Mary and Granny Tamihana, “feeling appalled at the humpy shape of the child’s back and the turned wispiness of his legs” (34). Referring to Joe-billy, Stan assumes that it was him who got Mary pregnant.