Saraband for Two Sisters

I could not refuse such an offer. Moreover, I was interested in him and I felt I should be civil to him because I had always thought that Richard had provoked him on that occasion when I had first met the Longridges.

He mounted his horse and we rode off together.

I said I had had no idea that we were such near neighbors.

“We have been so all our lives.”

I thought it was no use pretending I did not remember his and Richard’s disagreement so I said, “I am glad you did not fight my husband.»

“It was a challenge given in the heat of the moment. I should not care to shed blood over such a trivial matter. I think General Tolworthy realized that later, for he accepted the situation.”

“People become ardent over matters which seem important to them. My husband is in the King’s Army and he is naturally completely loyal to His Majesty.»

“And it is right that he should be. But a country can be more important than its king.”

“I have always thought of them as one: King and Country.»

“That is as it should be. I trust General Tolworthy will not object to your calling at the farmhouse.”

“I am sure he would not.”

‘When he returns you must tell him that my sister invited you in and that I escorted you home.”

“Yes, of course I shall.”

“It might be that he will object to such neighborliness.”

“I am sure he would be pleased for me to have friends so near, since he has so often to be away from home.”

“We shall see. And if that is the case my sister will be delighted with your friendship.”

“And I with hers. It has been a most interesting morning.”

Far Flamstead had now come into sight and he said he would leave me.

He bowed and I knew that he waited and watched until he saw me ride into the stables. Soon after that I began to suspect that I was pregnant. I wasn’t sure of course and it may be that I wished for this so fervently that I imagined it was so. I used to sit in the Castle Room and dream about the child and thought: “This time next year it will be here-that’s if it is so.”

I was a little absentminded and of course this began to be noticed. I caught Mrs. Cherry looking at me intently, and once when I went into the kitchen she was whispering with Grace and Meg and as the whispering stopped abruptly as I entered I guessed they were discussing me, for while Mrs. Cherry retained her rotund cheerfulness the other two looked a little embarrassed.

When she was doing my hair Meg asked me if I felt well.

“Of course,” I answered. ‘Why do you ask? Don’t I look well?”

“Oh, yes, my lady, you look very well... but different,”

“How different?” I asked sharply.

She was again embarrassed.

“Well, we was wondering, my lady ... I hope it’s not out of place, but you see, being as it was in the family, we got noticing things.”

“Really, Meg,” I said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She hung her head and looked very uncomfortable and because I insisted on her telling me what she meant she said, “Well, it would be lovely to have a little baby in the house. It’s what we’d all look forward to.”

I felt myself flushing scarlet. “But what makes you think-“ “It was Grace, my lady.”

“Grace!”

‘Well, you see, she learned it from my mother and she was going to be one herself.

She does now when she’s needed ... roundabouts, you know. If anyone wants her.

She’s got a natural way for it.”

“Really, Meg,” I said, “I haven’t the faintest notion of what you are talking about.»

“Our mother was a midwife, my lady, and she taught Grace all she knew. Grace would have been the same, only we came here and she has other duties. I reckon she earns her keep as I’m sure you’ll agree.”

“I do, but what about Grace?”

‘Well, Grace has second sight, you might say, my lady, where babies is concerned and she reckons that you’re what she might call in the family way if you’ll excuse the expression to a lady.”

“How could Grace know?”

“Well, she always says that people change when they get that way ... no matter who they be, and she says she’d take a wager on it, my lady.”

I said, “Grace may be right. I shall hope so.”

Meg smiled, very well content.

As the days passed I began to feel Grace’s insight had not failed her. August would soon be with us. The wheatfields of the Longridge Farm were already changing color and were now a golden brown, and the barley and oats and his root crops made a patchwork quilt of the land-yellow, white, blue, green, and purple. Mine was not a poetic nature but I told myself that the whole earth was symbolically fruitful.

How I longed for a child! In my mind I talked to my mother and Bersaba, but I was afraid to write to them for fear I should be wrong.

However, I couldn’t resist talking to knowledgeable Grace.

“Grace,” I said, “I’m almost sure.”

“Oh, my lady,” she answered, “I am sure.”

“I feel so excited about it.”

“Bringing little lives into the world is the most exciting thing in life, my lady.”

“Yes, I believe it is.”

“Ain’t no doubt about it, my lady.” She came close to me and looked into my face.

Then she laid her hands on me.