Thomas Hind is best known for his novels, the first of which, Mister Nicholas, was published in 1952. The industrialist's brilliant career around the world provided both the plot and background for many of his novels: two of them are set in Kenya, where he lived for two years, and the third takes place on the campus of an American university, reminiscent of the universities of Illinois and Massachusetts, where he taught. In addition, he wrote the novels “Birdy,” where the action takes place “in the fields” of the London underworld, and “Our Father,” also from London life, about a contested will. Recently, a book written by him and his wife, “The Great Donkey March,” was published; it describes the adventures of a couple during a year and a half journey on foot in southern Europe. The story “Lean on Mother Audrey” first appeared in the collection “20 Stories”, published in 1985 by Martin Secker and Voorburg. We reprint it here with the kind permission of the author. Illustrations: Geri Malone.