Although both Mona and Adam had enjoyed their time in Little Valley, it was good to be back in the city. For Mona, nursing was everything she had ever hoped for and Adam was happy to be back at his books. George and Isabella Fox were happier than they had been in years, and the months sped by quickly. The Gods it seemed, felt that the couple had seen enough tragedy in recent years, and deemed that they should live, for a while at least, in relative peace and serenity.

The summer of 1953 saw Adam and Mona take their usually trip back home in August but even there, life was uneventful. Millie Oldford had married an American Serviceman from Kentucky and moved to the US and Shamus was now a confirmed bachelor. Some of the young men had left home to work on the great lakes in Ontario, where they were earning an astounding three hundred dollars a month! They would return home during the winter months when ice would force the closure of all shipping. Another difference was that seasonal workers could now collect unemployment Insurance during the months they weren’t working. Old men shook there heads in disbelief that young men could stay at home and collect a government check, until work started again in the spring!

In September, Adam began His final year at Memorial University. Encouraged by his professors, he applied for scholarships at several major universities throughout Canada. In the second semester his thoughts turned to the Foxs and how they would manage when he was no longer in St. John‘s. He suggested that they find another young man to come by and help with the chores, and even agreed to help them find a suitable candidate. Mona had decided to stay in St. John’s for the first year that Adam was on the mainland and would call the Foxs every day, and visit as often as possible.

April was Convocation month and a busy and exciting one for Adam. His parents arrived in St. John’s on the eleventh and were welcomed by their friends, the Foxs. With this their second trip to St. John’s, Mary and Eli were the talk of the town back in Little Valley. Had they been merchants, or if it was a merchant’s son that was receiving these degrees (whatever that meant) no one would have paid any attention. Eli and Mary however were one of their own, hence all the talk and excitement, and maybe even a little jealousy. Truthfully, the couple were themselves a little mesmerised by it all. Having no idea what to expect at this convocation (a word they had yet to pronounce correctly) they were dependent on Isabella and George to explain everything that was happening.