rushed into them and threw her arms around his neck and held him tightly. 'Richard,Richard!' she burst out with excitement and then started to cry. Richard smiled and laughed lightly when he saw that her excitement mirrored his own.
'Margaret, it is so nice to see you again,' Richard said as he wiped her eyes. 'Comb, let us get sume more wat'er.'
Still overjoyed with the reunion, Margaret looked about expectantly and asked with excitement, 'Where is Elizabeth then? Is she with you?'
Richard stooped and picked up the bucket. 'Nay,' he replied without looking at her.
His tone concerned Margaret and she took on a more sober mood and asked 'Did you nay find Elizabeth, then?'
'Nay.'
'Was she nay at Trowell? Bromley said that they were going to Trowell.'
'They were nay at Trowell. Only an abandoned cot'age was at Trowell where they shuld have been.'
Margaret stopped and faced Richard. Grabbing his arm with one hand and covering her mouth with the other she gasped, 'nay at Trowell? Where did they go?'
'I do nay know,' replied Richard.
Suddenly the excitement of their reunion dissipated.
'Where did you luk?'
'I luked in many, many villages, and hamlets around Not'ing'am. I also luked in Not'ing'am,' replied Richard in a straight and even tone. Margaret noticed that he seemed to choke a little as he spoke and then he regained control of his emotions.
'I am soory, Richard. You will find 'er in the summer,' she offered hopefully.
Richard took Margaret's arm with one hand and the bucket in the other and motioned her toward the well. As they walked, he said, 'Nay Margaret. I am dune luking. I 'ave prayed to find 'er, I 'ave luked many dees. I 'ave been in rain and snow. I 'ave slept in the woods and beneath rocks. I do nay believe that she can be found. It must nay be God's will. I do nay even know that they are near Not'ing'am. Shuld I search all of me life?'
He was almost sorry that he posed that question and he was hoping that she wouldn't answer it.
'I am soory Richard,' Margaret replied sincerely. 'Per'aps you will feel differently comb summer.'
'Nay, Margaret, me mind is firm. She believes me deed and she must go where her father says. Where that is, I can nay say.'
With the bucket full, they headed back toward the cottage. Richard knew that he would likely be required to repeat this same conversation once inside, but he decided to face it and have it done.
It was a joyous reunion when they entered the cottage. Richard's mother, Gleda, nearly fainted at the sight of him. Geva was thrilled and so was his father, Lind, despite his more tempered response. They were each saddened at the loss of Elizabeth from their lives. They loved her dearly and now it felt as though she were dead. Lind assured Richard that he had done well in looking for her. 'Can you find a sheep's 'air after it has been sheared and mixed with other wool?' asked Lind in a rhetorical way of stating that in a land as large as England, it would be nearly impossible to find someone once they were lost.
Once the loss of Elizabeth had settled on the family, there wasn't much else to say and they retired to their beds. The next morning Geva was excited to share her news.
'Ralf and I are to be married soon,' she excitedly told Richard.
'That is wonderful news,' Richard said and then looking at Lind, 'Does that mean 'e is 'elping on the farm then?'
Geva didn't wait for her father to respond. 'Aye, 'e is and we will live in the sod cot'age,' she said excitedly.
Lind smiled and confirmed the arrangements. 'So, Richard, I will 'ave a sone on the farm yet. You are free to be a glazier.'
This was exactly what Richard wanted to hear, but despite that, he felt as though he was letting his father down.
'Are you sure,' Richard asked sincerely.
'Aye, sone. Boot I am concerned that you will 'ave to move from place to place and we will nay see much of you,' responded Lind.
Richard assured his father that he would return as often as he could. Lind invited Richard to step outside with him. After they were outside, they walked to the back of the cottage near to the cow's enclosure. Lind didn't want to be overheard.
The two men stood at the enclosure, and seemingly watched the cow. Richard thought that he had an idea why they were there.