'Aye, of course you may. Boot it will take sume work to clean it up.'
Lind looked down at the wooden markers of Ian and Winifred's graves. 'sume dee maybe you or I can afford to place sume stone markers on these graves,' said Lind.
Having reached an understanding on their futures together, Lind and Bromley walked back across the lane and into the cottage. Richard was outside the cottage also now, standing in the shadows and they did not see him as he watched them enter. He was thinking about his future. He knew that his time on the farm was limited. He could stay in the cottage for a time. There would be more room with Bromley moving out soon, but he was becoming a man and Lind would be expecting him to leave as soon as his apprenticeship was completed, maybe sooner. That was okay with Richard. The last couple of years had not been quite the same between he and Lind since he learned that Lind was not his real father. Richard realized that it was probably more himself that had strained the relationship, more so than Lind, but he couldn't help thinking about it whenever there was a disagreement. He hoped to be on his own before his sixteenth year ended, but right now he had other things on his mind. Specifically, the girl from Barnack. On the way home that evening he had already made plans to go to Barnack on Sunday and see whether he could find out where she lived. He wasn't ready to approach her in the market.
Just then Geva came outside also.
'Whot are you doing oot 'ere, Richard,' she asked.
'I 'ave just been thinking.'
'Thinking 'boot whot then, aye, maybe a certain yung lady? Did you find oot where she lives?'
'I followed 'er and 'er father as far as the Barnack road,' said Richard. 'I think that she lives in Barnack.'
'Barnack? That is a walk!' exclaimed Geva. 'When will you be going there then?'
'Soondee.'
'Soondee! That is four dees. Wuld you nay like to see her in the market on Saturdee?'
'I do nay wish to approach her in the market,' responded Richard. 'There are too many people there.'
'I will go with you on Soondee then,' offered Geva.
'You will nay go,' Richard shot back straightly.
'If you do nay let me go with you, I will tell mum where you are going.'
'And if you do, I will tell mum aboot a certain boy that you have been seeing,' retorted Richard.
'You 'ad bet'er nay do that. I will nay say anything,' promised Geva.
'gud,' said Richard. 'It is cold oot 'ere, let us go inseed.'
Sunday could not come soon enough for Richard. He hadn't planned to visit the market on Saturday, but he couldn't resist his desire to see her, so he went. He was only in the market briefly to watch her from the corner of the alleyway that he was becoming so accustomed to. He could not stay long, but he enjoyed seeing her again.
Since the time that John Darby had gone away to school, it was Richard's normal practice to go to church at All Saints' in Easton-on-the-hill rather than the All Saints' in Stamford. He had continued for a short time to attend in Stamford after John left, but without John there, it didn't seem worth the walk. But he did occasionally attend in Stamford regardless. But on this Sunday he needed an excuse to leave Easton-on-the-hill. No one would question him if he announced that he was going to go to church in Stamford.
On Sunday, Richard was up a little earlier than normal and set about doing his chores. There was a light rain falling as he walked though the muddy field to bring in the cow for milking. The cow didn't want to cooperate and she managed to kick the bucket over right away. Richard was thankful that there was very little milk lost. His mother would not have been pleased if he had lost the entire bucket. With a little coaxing, the cow settled down and Richard was able to fill the bucket quickly.
When Richard went into the cottage his mother was starting a small fire for cooking.
''ere is the milk, Mum,' said Richard as he placed the bucket on the table.
'Aye, I am grateful, me luv,' offered Gleda as she gently touched Richard's face. For a moment Richard thought that she was going to hug him. He had decided that he was too old for hugs and had