Читать книгу The Maidens of Walsingham - Анна Морион - Страница 5

Cassie was not feeling well, much worse than she had in the morning: she had a high fever, and was writhing on her bed, throwing off the blanket Catherine had covered her with, delirious, and calling quietly to her father, "Daddy! Daddy!"

Catherine was greatly disturbed and frightened: none of the remedies she knew helped, and the girl sat with a strained face at the bedside, holding Cassie's hand, sometimes wetting her face with cold water.

The parson was also frightened by the condition of his beloved youngest daughter, for he too did not know how to help her. He secluded himself in his room, fell on his knees and prayed fervently. In spite of Cassie's illness and his fear, the pastor did not miss vespers, but finished it half an hour early. When the people of the village learnt that Cassie was very ill, they prayed for her health and saddened, went home.

While the parson was saying vespers, Mr. Morris, Viscount Wilworth's personal physician, visited the Glowford home and gave her a professional examination. At first he was struck by the squalor and repulsive poverty of the parson's house, but then he was struck by the beauty of poor Cassie, and, if earlier the noble lord's physician had been reluctant to carry out the Viscount's orders (to go to a remote village and treat a poor dirty peasant girl), now he felt pity for the younger Glowford and wished to do everything possible to make this beautiful girl well.

While Mr. Morris was in the house, Christine again escaped into solitude: she sat on her favourite stone, under the oak, and prayed quietly. No matter how she felt about her little sister, Christine loved her, and was as much afraid as anyone that she might lose her. Suddenly the girl heard someone's footsteps, and then someone sat down on the rock beside her. Christine opened her eyes, raised her head and saw John Tiley, the village sharpener, beside her. He was one of her admirers and had asked for her hand, but, like all who dared, had been refused. John loved Christine and hoped that she would change her mind and marry him: he was a good-looking, hard-working, young, healthy fellow, but Christine did not regard him as a bridegroom, much less as a future husband.

– I heard about your sister. I am sorry," said the lad, not knowing what words were required in such a delicate situation, and he could not speak nicely, so he often kept silent rather than spoke.

The girl answered nothing and turned her face away from him.

"How disgusting our country men are! Unhewn, rude, ugly, uneducated! Not like that count. His hands are so well-tended, so fair. And John's hands are like big potatoes, and he wants to touch me with his ugly, rough fingers? Never! I'd rather die an old maid than marry him or anyone like him! – Christine thought in disgust as she looked at John's hands lying in his lap. – And his face? He would only scare away the crows in the field! And that lord has such a handsome face! Why was I born here and not in some lady's family? Then the Count would have fallen in love with me and taken me as his wife… And his estate? This Rivershold is a sight to be admired! The paved walks, green fields with cut grass, big fountains, a lake with red fish, a huge house, probably as big as the king's. Ah, if only I hadn't been born here, but there, in the town where he came from!"

– Chris, if there's anything I can do to help…" John began again, trying to take her hand, but she pulled it away and gave him an angry, disgusted look.

– Go away, John! I don't want anything from you! – she said sharply, not deeming it necessary to show any delicacy to his unreciprocated feelings.

The lad looked at his beloved with longing and pain in his eyes, rose from the stone and, lowering his head, wandered home to his sharpening machine, perplexed by the behaviour of the object of his sincere love.

"What if I go to town? I can work and have good money. I'll send some of the money to Catherine and Cassie. After all, I'm young and healthy, I can cook, clean, do laundry, sew things. Maybe I can find a decent, rich husband there… It's a pity that lord will stay here. Yes, I'll speak to father today… No, not today: he's so worried about Cassie… Poor Cassie! I'll tell father when she's well, and in the meantime, I'll try to save up some money to get to the nearest town," Christine decided, when she saw in the city the ghostly hope of a good income and a decent life. The girl was not at all wicked, but decent, but she was drawn upwards, to a world where she would not have to sleep on a hard mattress, and where she could earn money to help her family.

When Christine returned home, Cassandra felt a little better: Mr. Morris had given her a tasty mixture and some powder, leaving three portions for the future. He told the pastor that the cause of Cassie's indisposition was a bad cold, but fortunately not fatal, and promised to visit her every day.

The pastor thanked the doctor warmly for his help and said he would pray God to reward him for his labours, and asked Mr. Morris to send his thanks also to Viscount Wilworth, who had insisted on his coming to see Cassie.

After a humble dinner, passed in silence, the Glowfords listened to a piece of Scripture, prayed, snuffed out the candle, and went to bed.

During the night Cassie breathed heavily, but her sleep was full of tranquillity. In the morning Mr. Morris again visited the sick woman, and brought a large basket of fruit for her, which had been given through him by Viscount Wilworth.

After matins, Pastor Glowford announced to the congregation Lord Draymore's plans to restore the church and rebuild their homes, while colourfully describing his short visit to Rivershold. The peasants were overjoyed: the story of the well-respected pastor assured them that the new landlord was a fine man and that he would take care of Walsingham. The landlord's secretary had come yesterday after the morning service and had written down the peasants' complaints in a special book, and assured the Walsingham people that the Count would look into them himself.

Cassie slept all day and did not wake until evening, tired and sad, but when Catherine gave her a large red apple, one of those sent by Viscount Wilworth, she cheered up and asked her sister to tell her a story.

– Sweetheart, why do you want these silly fairy tales? I'd rather read you the Scriptures instead, they're better than fairy tales," Catherine told her gently: she didn't approve of fictitious magic stories, so there were no books in the Glowford house except those containing religious texts.

– But I want to hear a fairy tale! – exclaimed Cassie capriciously, always hearing about them from the village children.

– A fairy tale is full of deceit and lies, and God doesn't like lies. He loves only the truth," Kate answered patiently. – But I can sing you a song, if you like.

– Yes, about the chickens! – Cassie said cheerfully.

Catherine did not approve of this "nonsense", but wishing to give her sick sister pleasure, this time strayed from her high principles not to sing such "vulgar" songs.

– There's a henhouse in our house

And the hens live in it.

But they've all run away.

Into the dark woods all…

Kate hesitated: the next word was not a good one, and she could not pronounce it.

– Dummies! – Cassie exclaimed excitedly, her face shining with happiness.

– They went out into the woods

Where the grey wolf was waiting for them

And he with his teeth

– Clang-clang-clang-clang! – Cassie put in again.

– And the hens…

But before Catherine could finish, Pastor Glowford entered the house.

– Daddy! Daddy! – Cassandra shouted joyfully and tried to jump up from the mattress, but her sister stopped her just in time:

– No, sweetheart, you're too weak. Father will come to you.

The pastor hurriedly threw off his shoes, changed into his home clothes and went into his daughters' room.

– Cassie, my angel, are you feeling better? – He asked affectionately, sitting down beside his daughter and stroking her head.

– Can I have another apple? – Cassie asked, grabbing her father's hand.

– Of course, you can. Catherine, wash an apple for her,' the pastor said to his eldest daughter.

– 'Will Chris have apples? – Cassie asked, looking lovingly at her father.

He took a deep breath and smiled: he was overwhelmed with love for his feeble-minded daughter.

– Daddy, will you have apples? – The girl asked again without getting an answer.

– No, dear, thank you, I've already eaten. Do you remember the new landlord who came to our church the day before yesterday?

– No.

– She was asleep that day," Kate whispered to her father, and handed her sister a washed apple, which she grabbed and chewed with pleasure.

– Lord Draymore has proved to be an honourable man: he has promised to rebuild our church," said Pastor to Cassie: he always told her everything, as if she could understand the importance of what he said.

– Is that a good thing? – Cassie asked, chewing an apple.

– It's very good, my dear," smiled her father. – But now we will listen to the Scripture and go to bed: we are all very tired and need rest.

– Where is Chris? – Kate asked suddenly. – She's still not here! She must be sitting on her rock again!

– She will be back soon: I sent her to the Coulters for milk; they promised to give Cassie some milk from their goat," the parson answered her.

– Christine's behaviour has been very bad lately," said Kate grudgingly. – She ought to pray more, not disappear under the oak tree.

– But if she doesn't want to, we can't force her. Christine has had a hard time with your mother's death, and it has made a strain on her character, so you can't blame her for being impertinent and disobedient," said the pastor wisely.

While Catherine and the pastor were talking, Cassie fell asleep again, clutching the half-eaten apple in her palm.

Soon Christine came home: she brought a clay jug of milk, set it on the table, took off her shoes in silence, and lay down on her mattress.

After the usual evening ritual and prayer, the family spread out on their bunks.

– Kate! – Christine called softly to her sister, afraid her father would hear her. – Kate, can you hear me?

– What?" Catherine answered her in a whisper.

– I'm going to tell you something, but just don't tell dad," Chris said and moved quietly onto Catherine's mattress.

– Okay. What?

– I want to leave.

– "Leave? Where to?" Kate was surprised: she thought it would be a great sin to leave her birthplace.

– To the city. I'll get a job and send you money.

– What nonsense! The city is full of sinners and temptation!

– But there's good work to be found there. What awaits me in the middle of nowhere? It's so boring here!

– If you're bored, get married.

– There's no one to marry!

– You're too choosy! Marry John. He's a good lad, kind and religious. He's already asked me why you say no to everything.

– Then marry him yourself! – Christine was disgusted at the thought of marrying a poor man like herself, but she could not tell her sister, for she was afraid of being seen as a corrupt wench.

– I'm not getting married because I'm looking after Cassie. If I leave her and start a family of my own, will you look after the poor girl? – Catherine was very unhappy at her sister's levity: what a thing to think of! To go to town!

– Kate, don't you understand? I can earn money and help you! I'm sick of depending on the favours of the neighbours! – whispered insistently and loudly, annoyed by her sister's stubbornness, Christine.

– It is not the neighbours who give us favours, but God who works through their hearts! But that is your business. Go wherever you like, but I don't approve of your plan," Catherine agreed reluctantly. – But how will you tell Dad?

– I'm a grown-up girl and I can go anywhere I want, you said so yourself.

– Where are you going to go?

– I was going to go to the nearest town, but I changed my mind. I'm going to the capital.

– London? Do you think there's someone waiting for you there? – Kate said mockingly, surprised at her sister's naivety.

– That's it, Kate. Good night," she said resentfully.

Christine went back to her mattress and lay facing the wall, resentful that no one understood her, or even tried to understand her desire to escape from the dreadful poverty she hated with all her heart and was ashamed of.

"Even father won't hold me back. I must change my life. All that awaits me here is poverty and (God forbid!) marriage to John. I must go away!" – she thought with despair.

– Chris! – Catherine whispered.

– What?

– But you need money to move to London. Where will you get it?

– I'll find something.

The sisters were silent, each absorbed in her own thoughts.