Give me your daughter, and Ill keep my tongue shut.
Its my fault, I didnt see the fence posts, be a man, Ignatius, dont ruin us
What do you call me, Ignatius? Have you forgotten my name? To you I am Ignatius Whitaker.
Have mercy, dont take this to the magistrates
Ignatius rose, straightened his shoulders until his shirt strained. A fierce fire burned in his dark eyes, scorching the frail Zachary Whitfield, whose shoulders sagged with terror.
Zachary had run the farm crew for years, but only a year ago Ignatius had been elected chairman of the parish council. At first the villagers thought him too youngonly twentyfivebut the county officials, noticing his grip on agricultural affairs, his zeal and common sense, gave him their blessing.
Youre a thief, Zachary Archibald, Ignatius said, his voice ringing with a metallic edge. When the chairman speaks, the world bows. Those haystacks vanished in springdo you think Ive forgotten? Ill hand you over to the magistrates!
By God, I was honest on the fields, I swore I never took anything. Ignatius, perhaps we can bargainmy wife will not survive, and I have children
Children, you say? Ignatius mused. You want protection, but whats my risk? If I shield you, there must be something in it for me.
Zachary watched his chairman, hoping for some leniency. And your lovely daughter, Eleanor what if I marry her? I could take her as my bride.
Eleanor was but a child. Shes still a girl, Ignatius.
Still a girl? Ignatius replied. I saw her on the farm the other day, already a maiden.
Shes only seventeen, just turned, still a child in a cradle.
Then I have a condition: surrender Eleanor to me and Ill keep quiet about your mistake. Defy me and Ill inform the county officials, and youll stand before the magistrates. Which is betterhand me your daughter or watch the farm go to ruin?
Zachary fell to his knees. What do you demand? Its an impossible burden. How could I give my child to you? Am I a monster?
Ignatius returned to his desk, took a sheet of paper and wrote, Zachary Whitfield, rebel against authority, meddled with the common good
Wait, dont write that, Zachary whispered, Ill speak with Eleanor this very day.
Do so, Ignatius replied. Shes a stubborn little thing, likely to object, but you call her small.
Youre to blame, you seized her shes frightened.
If your soul feels the tug, Ignatius smiled, then we shall see.
Zachary exhaled heavily. If only my soul
He went home, collapsed onto the kitchen bench, and began pulling off his boots.
Whats the matter? asked Martha.
On the table lay a pot of boiled potatoes, the oven sent fresh breads aroma through the cottage. Whats the gloom?
Eleanor! he called. Shes just come out of her room, hair still halftied.
What, father?
He turned to Martha. Our chairman has taken notice of our daughter, says he wishes to marry her.
Eleanors lips quivered, her hands twisted her tangled hair, and she stood like a trembling birch. Why would he? I dont want this
Martha dropped her handkerchief, sobbing, and sank onto a stool.
Zachary sighed. I know you dont want it, and I dont want it either. Its too early for you but what can we do?
Father, why are you forcing me?
Who thought a girl should be dragged into the council? Were not living in the kings time
The chairman devised it, and the officials are watching our heads
Just refuse, and its over, Martha suggested.
Father, I wont go with him; hes cruel, everyone fears him.
Their younger son, Tommy, perched by the hearth, listened intently.
Im sorry, I overlooked the haystacks in spring
Good heavens, theyll lock you up, Martha cried.
Ignatius swears to imprison me, says I failed his trust.
What will happen if he takes Eleanor as a bride? Hell leave you there too, Zachary muttered. A soninlaw I dont want.
Father, speak up, Tommy, thirteen, interjected.
Silence, Ill manage without your counsel, Zachary snapped. If you complain, youll be the one to sufferour chairman, still greenhorned, will hear nothing else.
Im frightened of him, Eleanor whispered.
Zachary looked from daughter to wife, sighed, and gathered his things.
Where are you going? Martha asked.
Gather my things, dont forget a clean shirt, and perhaps some biscuits Ill go to Ignatius tomorrow morning. Let him arrest me if he wishes, but I wont hand over my child by force, and its too soon for her.
Martha embraced him, and Eleanor retreated to her bedroom, sitting on the madeup bed, listening to her mothers sobs and her fathers sighs. She thought of her friend Felicity, a year older, the only one she trusted, and of the chairmantall, grimfaced, always shouting, always demanding. He seemed a stranger to her, a man wholly unknown.
She felt pity for herself, for a marriage arranged without her consent, for a husband she dreaded, and also for her father, who might soon be taken away. She began braiding her hair, pulling at the strands, not feeling pain but anger and desperation. She walked back to her parents, took the satchel from Zacharys hands, and said, Dont go anywhere, Father.
If I had agreed, Zachary muttered, striking his chest, it would have spared us both. Youll have a hard time with him Id rather serve my time than watch you weep.
Father! Eleanor clung to him. Dont go! Hell lock you up and not blink an eye. Theyll blame us, my brother Tommy, my sister Antonia, who has a husband and children.
Zachary slumped onto the chest at the door, which also served as a seat. I know. Antonia will be shamed, theyll say the Whitfield family has turned to straw thats the terror.
Tell him tomorrow Ill agree, let him send his matchmakers, Eleanor pleaded.
Martha gathered their belongings, placed them near the stove, and wiped her eyes as she set the table.
That night Zachary and Martha lay awake, speaking in hushed tones, turning over the nights events, hearing Eleanors soft cries from the next room.
No, Martha, she fears him. A marriage now would be a burden, too early for these times. Tomorrow, early, fetch my satchel, Ill head to the council yard and tell Ignatius I wont give her to him.
Martha pressed to her husband, Zachary, as you wish; we cannot live without you
At dawn they rose, careful not to rouse the children. While they were in the yard, Tommy slipped out through the gate unnoticed. By the time they finished, the sun was high.
Wheres our little lad? Zachary asked.
I think he ran off to school, Eleanor answered, I havent seen him this morning.
Fine, hell come back. Ill stay a while longer at home
Zachary, stay home until lunch, the council men wont arrive yet, Martha suggested, still hoping the storm would pass over their little village.
No rush to the gaol, Ignatius, Zachary decided.
Meanwhile Tommy rode a cart with his uncle Matthew, heading for the county town.
Where are you heading, boy? Matthew asked.
I have a task from schoolto collect certificates.
Matthew snorted, the cart rattling over the cobbles, and they entered the town.
There they met the district secretary, Mr. Graham, a sturdy, taciturn man of fortyfive. Tommy, thinking quickly, claimed his errand was schoolrelated.
What do you want, lad? Graham asked, curiosity in his eyes.
My master is Ignatius Whitaker.
What for?
I have business.
The children have no place here.
Then Graham himself stepped forward, You understand, boy?
Tommy, stumbling over his story, tried to convince the secretary that the missing haystacks were Ignatiuss fault, that he wanted Eleanor for himself.
Do you realize who youre accusing? the secretary warned. Youre slandering the chairman.
Its the truth! The haystacks were taken, and Ignatius wants our daughter.
Where did you hear this?
From the farm. It was Ignatius Archibald who plotted this.
Graham, seeing an opportunity, sent Tommy to wait at the council office.
There Ignatius Whitaker, issuing orders, inspected the fields and the farm, rebuking a lazy tractor driver. When Graham entered, everyone fell silent. Ignatius straightened, ready to report on village matters.
Tommy lingered near the council doors, watching the windows. He rarely complained, even when wronged, but now he felt sorry for his father.
What business brings you here, Mr. Mitchell? Graham asked.
Just the usual, Sir.
Your haystacks disappeared in spring; you only now raise a storm. Why stay silent before? Did you await a convenient moment? And why do you think Zachary is guilty? Because his daughter refused you?
The questions fell like peasants chatter, catching Ignatius off guard.
I understand, he said, pale. Im at fault. It wasnt Zachary; someone else took them. I tried to scare him.
The answer is yours, Graham replied quietly, his words like a lash. Youll face the magistrates for overstepping.
Tommy burst in, pointing to the radio. Turn it onlisten.
The radio crackled, announcing war, the date: 22 June 1941.
Tommy fled home, the news still fresh.
I do not shirk my guilt, Sir, but now is not the time, Ignatius whispered, Spare me the courts; let me go to the front. Ill be called up anyway.
Graham, stunned by the news, leaned over the desk, pondering Ignatiuss fate.
The hay was eaten, Ignatius continued, We do not know whose cattle did it. I must serve on the front now.
What will remain here? Graham asked.
There will be men, like Matthew Illick, too old for conscription, yet fit for council duties.
Very well, Whitaker, I have other matters.
A week later, a few carts gathered around the council hall, the villagers assembled. Ignatius bowed, removed his satchel, and entered the circle. The parish band struck up, and for a moment Ignatius, ever the stern taskmaster, seemed transformed. He spread his arms, stepped into the dance, stamping in time, and the crowd formed a tight ring around him.
Ah, Ignatius Whitaker, those hands of yoursonce meant for a wife, now for a rifle, muttered Matthew Illick, now the acting chairman.
The Whitfield family bade farewell to the soninlaw. Antonia clung to him like a lash, unwilling to let go until the order to the carts! sounded.
Hard years fell upon the empty village, women took to the fields, the woods, the farms. Zachary was not conscripted but laboured as if three mens quota had been given to him. Frosty winters, capricious springs, and sorrowful news marked the days.
Oh, Martha sighed, watching her daughter, the misfortune has passed, yet another comes. Now we think of the present, and the old fire dwindles like a dying hearth.
Four years thinned Murrownow called Marlowadding widows and orphans, but the spring of 45 lifted spirits, bringing the wars end nearer.
Fedor returned in March, after a wound sent him home; he had been called up at eighteen and now stood as a soughtafter fiancé.
Why turn away from Fedor? Eleanor, now grown, asked Martha. Where else will you find a husband? Hes the one you might have to marry.
I understand, Mother, but I feel nothing
What feelings, Eleanor? Youll remain a maiden forever.
A month later Ignatius Whitaker came back. Women stared as his gaunt figure approached down the dusty road; his coats sleeve hung empty.
Good day, ladies! How are you faring? Where is my wife?
Joy, sir shes on the farm, where else? Come, bring her joy, todays a celebrationmy son has returned.
At the next council meeting, Ignatius was proposed as chairman again.
Theres a vacancy, he said, Matthew Illick kept the council running through the war; does he not deserve to stay?
The selfremoval? villagers asked.
It follows.
He had changedno more outbursts, no pride that had haunted him before the war, the conflict having tempered his spirit.
Good to see you, Zachary Archibald, Ignatius greeted first, we meet again.
Good to see you, Ignatius Whitaker.
Enough of titles, Im younger than you. I used to brag I thought of you through the war, regretted not asking forgiveness. So now I say: forgive me for those haystacks; I knew I was not at fault
Zachary cleared his throat. And forgive me, Ignatius, for moving those stacks
How so?
The cows had nothing to eat, and a higher order told us not to touch the stacks, to keep them as a reserve. I broke that order. He removed his hat, clenched it, overwhelmed. I took nothing for myself, thats where my guilt lies.
Its a story, Ignatius said. You fed our cows lets not dredge up old wounds; it was long ago, before the war.
Father, why are you talking to him? Tommy asked as Zachary stepped away. He was a snake, now his sting is gone.
Tommy received a sharp reprimand.
Know little, you have not lived, yet you judge. Ignatius fought on the front, earned two medalshes no snake.
What, Father? Im remembering the past
Forget it one thing is certain: its easy to err, hard to mend. He patted his sons shoulder. Alls well, son, the wars over, we shall live.
The carts were loaded, and Eleanor, delighted, walked to meet Ignatius. Large milk barrels waited for transport. Ignatius, tying a horse with one hand, turned to her. Hold on, lets do this together, he said, taking the barrel with his other hand. As he moved the barrels, she untied the horse. He placed his hand gently on her shoulder, No need to pity me, Ill manage.
She had come to help, and now felt a strange pity for Ignatius, wounded from the fronta feeling she could not name. Days later Ignatius did not return; teenage lads, the Voloshin brothers, came instead. One warm May morning Eleanor saw a familiar silhouette, a lone rider approaching. He leapt from his cart, smiled. The wars over, Eleanor, the curse is lifted. The radio announced celebrations in the fields tonight.
She lowered her head onto his chest, both surprised, and embraced. What good news, she whispered. He, feeling her breath, was at a loss. I never imagined youd hold me, he said. My arms are too few to hug you fully.
She whispered, I have two hands; together we have three. Thatll be enough.
She brushed his hair, lifted her light scarf, kissed his tearstained cheek, then pressed him close, breathless. I wont let go! Perhaps I survived for a reason.
Months later Martha sorted the chest by the door, filling it with embroidered blankets, towels, and sheets. She placed pillows, a dowry for Eleanor, which seemed a treasure to her. Yet Eleanors joy lay not in the linens but in the man she now loved, once a stranger.
Why have you taken off your medals, Ignatius Whitaker? Matthew Illick asked, meeting the former chairman.
I have only one award nowmy Eleanor, the one I must protect.
The sun shone generously, spilling light through eaves and windows, reminding all that life goes on, and love endures.
