nay believe that 'e will lose 'is leg,' Lind assured her.
'Why did 'e rune with the bulls? And, where 'as 'e been? 'e shuld 'ave been 'ome two dees ago,' said Margaret.
'I am sure that 'e 'ad a reason for 'is delay,' Lind said reassuringly. 'I do nay like the bull rune meself.'
'Well, at least winter is combing and 'e will nay be needed on the farm,' said Margaret, trying to be positive.
'Aye,' said Lind.
Gleda soon called them inside. She had dressed the wound in the fashion that had been taught her by her mother. She had used some of the meager amount of honey that they had as a suave and had wrapped the wound in cloth. Fortunately, the wound was not bleeding.
Bromley was sleeping so they did not disturb him. He slept most of the rest of the day and night. After the long and quick walk that he had to Bourne, then almost to Melton Mowbray and back, he was exhausted.
When Bromley opened his eyes the next morning, Margaret was beside him.
'Gud morning, me luv,' greeted Margaret with a smile. 'I was so afraid that I wuld lose you. Please do nay rune with the bulls again.'
'I promise,' whispered Bromley. He smiled at her and closed his eyes again.
'You must be so very 'ungry,' said Margaret. 'I 'ave sume food for you.'
With that Bromley opened his eyes and smiled. 'Aye, I am very 'ungry,' he agreed.
As he ate, Margaret asked him where he had been, and why he had not returned from Bourne right away. He had been so caught up in the pain of his injury and had also been sleeping so long, that he hadn't thought about telling them what he had learned in Bourne. He promised to tell her, but insisted that she go and get his mother and father first. He only wanted to share this news one time.
Geva came into the cottage along with Lind and Gleda. She wasn't going to miss any news that Bromley might have to tell. When they had all gathered around him, he explained that he had gone to Bourne to look for Richard and that he hadn't found any glazier work being done there. He explained how he had spoken with the priest, who said that the glazier's had finished their work and had moved on, but he wasn't certain where. He thought that they had gone to Boston.
They were all listening very intently, but Bromley's voice faltered. He felt a lump in his throat as though the words would not come out. He coughed a little to gain control of his emotions and he avoided their eyes.
Gleda sensed that Bromley was about to share some disturbing news and she kneeled down on the floor next to Bromley. She held his hand as though to give him strength, and yet she didn't want to hear.
Bromley continued, 'Then the priest told me that soon before the glaziers left Bourne, one of them, a yung journeyman fitting the description of Richard, had fallen from a window and deed.'
Sobs bursts out of Gleda, Geva and Margaret. Gleda buried her head in her dress and cried out in anguish, 'I knew that there was sumething wrong when 'e did nay return right away.' Geva and Margaret hugged each other and sobbed.
'Can you be certain of this, Bromley?' Lind asked in a quiet voice.
'I did nay see the grave and I did nay go to Boston to luk for Richard. I thought it best to try and catch up with Elizabeth's family and tell 'er.'
'And did you find Elizabeth?' asked Lind.
'Aye, that is why I was delayed for two dees.'
'Bromley,' said Lind in a mildly chiding voice, 'we can nay be sure that Richard is deed, boot now Elizabeth must think that 'e is.'
'I did nay know whot else to do,' responded Bromley with some remorse.
'You did fine,' replied Lind.
Gleda had left the cottage now and so Lind went outside to comfort her.
'Go to Boston and find me boy,' demanded Gleda between her sobs.
'Gleda,' responded Lind in a kind and quiet tone, 'we do nay know for certain whot 'as become of Richard. Let us wait a few more dees. If no more word combs or if 'e is still nay 'ere, I will go to Bourne meself and to Boston if necessary to learn the truth.'
''e may be deed,' sobbed Gleda.
'Yes,' agreed Lind quietly, ''e may be deed, boot 'e may nay be deed. If 'e is yet alive, 'e