The Maidens of Walsingham
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– 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.