Give me your daughter and Ill keep silent, he whispered.
— Im sorry, I didnt see be a decent man, Thomas, dont ruin everything
— Who am I to you, Thomas? Have you forgotten my name? Call me ThomasHawthorne.
— Please, spare me the court
Thomas rose, straightening his shoulders until his shirt snapped like a taut rope. A fierce blaze flickered in his dark eyes, scorching the frail farmer Albert, whose shoulders sank under fear. Albert had led the work crew for years, but Thomas had only taken the chair of the parish council a year ago. At first the villagers doubted himonly twentyfive, barely out of apprenticeship. Yet the district officers, impressed by his grip on farm affairs, his zeal and sensible methods, gave him their blessing.
Youre a thief, Albert Archibald, Thomas said, his voice ringing with metallic overtones. When I speak, you cannot turn away; Ill bend a goats horn with the authority given to me.
Stooks were here and then vanished, the chairman continued. It was spring, you think Ive forgotten? Ill hand you over to the magistrate!
Listen, Ive only ever ploughed the communal fields honestly I swear I took nothing. Thomas, perhaps we can reach an accord? My wife wont survive this, and I have children
Children, you say? Thomas mused. You want a deal? You hope Ill shield you but whats in it for me? If I cover you, there must be a price.
Albert strained, watching the chairman, sensing a possible concessionboth men grew up on the same loam.
And what of little Evelyn? A proper, pretty lass what if I take her as my bride? Ill become her fiancé, then
Alberts face went pale. Think again, Thomas, shes still a child.
A child, you say? I saw her at the farm the other day, already a bridetobe.
What bride? Shes only just turned seventeen, a doll not yet discarded, still being nursed.
The doll should be alive now! Heres my condition: you give me your girl and Ill keep quiet about your mistake. Refuse, and Ill inform the district chiefthen youll stand trial. So choose: hand over your daughter or bake hard biscuits, and perhaps youll never see your family again.
Albert fell to his knees. What do you demand? This burden is too great! How could I force my child into this? Am I a monster?
Thomas returned to the table, sat down, and produced a sheet of paper. Then we shall record it: Albert Zvyagin defied authority, laid a hand on communal good
Wait, dont write, Albert croaked, Ill speak with my daughter today.
Do that. Shes a willful child, ready to argue yet you say shes small.
Your fault, you took her
Then if your soul is stretched, Thomas smirked.
Albert sighed heavily. If only my soul
He went home, slumped onto the bench, and began pulling off his boots.
Whats the matter? asked his wife, Mary.
On the table lay a pot of stew with potatoes, while the oven sent fresh breads scent drifting through the cottage. Whats the gloom?
Evelyn! he called. Shes just stepped out of the upstairs room, her braid not yet tied.
Grandfather?
He stared at her. Our chairman has set his eye on a bride he wants to marry you.
Evelyns lips quivered, her hands tangled in her disheveled hair, and she stood like a trembling birch. Why would he? I dont want this
Mary dropped her cup, gasped, and sat heavily on a stool.
Albert sighed again. I know you dont want it, and I dont either. Its too early for you what can we do?
Grandfather, why are you doing this to me?
Who thought a girl should be hauled into the council by force? Were not living in a kings court
The chairman thought it proper, but the officials rose against us
Just refuse, and thatll be the end of it, Mary suggested.
Grandfather, I wont go to him; hes cruel, everyone fears him.
Their younger son, Colin, perched by the stove, listened to every word.
Im sorry, I slipped, my mind was dim, I missed the stooks in spring
Oh, father, Mary wailed, theyll lock you up
And Thomas will lock me away hes broken my trust, he says.
Whats the point then, if he wants to take Evelyn as his wife? Hell leave you alone
Its exactly that, Albert affirmed, my daughter for my mistake I dont need a soninlaw like that.
Father, you should complain, chimed elevenyearold Colin.
Silence, snapped Albert. Ill handle it myself. If I complain, Ill get a slap, and who will listen? Hes still the chairman, even if hes greenhorned.
Evelyn sobbed, Im scared of him.
Albert looked at his daughter, then at Mary, sighed, and rose.
What are you doing? Mary asked.
Gather your things, dont forget your shirt, and the biscuits Ill go to Thomas tomorrow, let him arrest me if he wishes. Im not his enemy, I wont hand her over by force, and its still early for her.
Mary threw herself around Albert, embracing him. Evelyn slipped back to her room and lay on the madeup bed, listening to her mothers cries and her fathers sighs. She hadnt even noticed the other girls playing outside only little Fred, Matildas brother, a year older, almost her equal, who was rather handsome. She hadnt thought of the chairman at allhe was older, his grim face always scowling, always shouting at someone, demanding, reprimanding a stranger to her.
Evelyn felt sorry for herself, for being thrust into marriage with a man she barely knewThomas Zorinwhile also pitying her father, who might be taken away forever. She began to braid her hair, tugging painfully, yet felt only anger and despair. She returned to her parents, took the sack from her fathers hands.
Dont go anywhere, Father, she whispered, for the first time calling him Father instead of Grandfather.
If I agreed, Albert thumped his chest, it wouldnt hurt me here. Youll have a hard time with him better I serve my term, so you can live without tears.
Father! Evelyn clutched him. Dont leave! Hell lock me up, and people will point fingers at me, at Colin, at my sister Antonia, who already has a husband and children.
Albert sat wearily on a chest by the door, which also served as a bench. I know, Antonia will suffer too, the shame will fall on the whole family thats the worst.
Go, tell him tomorrow Ill agree, let the matchmakers do their work, Evelyn pleaded.
Mary gathered the packed belongings, placed them by the hearth, and, wiping her eyes, set the table.
That night Albert and Mary lay awake, tossing and turning, heavy breaths filling the room. In the next room Evelyns cries could be heard.
No, Mary, shes frightened of him, marriage would be a burden now, especially in these times. You: early tomorrow, fetch my sack, Ill go to the yard and then to Thomas, let him do what he wants, but I wont give her to him.
Mary, hearing this, pressed against Albert: Albert, as you wish, well manage without you
At dawn they rose, careful not to wake the children. While they tended the yard, Colin slipped out the gate unnoticed. By the time they noticed, the sun was already high.
Wheres our little lad? Albert asked.
I think he ran to school, Evelyn replied, I havent seen him since morning.
Fine, hell come back. Ill linger a bit longer at home
Albert, stay home until lunch, the troublemaker Ingmar wont get the chance, Mary said, still hoping some misfortune would pass them by.
Anyway, why rush to prison? Albert thought.
Meanwhile, Colin rode a hansom with Uncle Matthew, heading for the district centre.
Colin, why do you need to go to the centre? Matthew asked.
I have a school taskto collect certificates. Im in a hurry.
Colin fabricated the story, adopting a serious air. Matthew urged the horse on, clattering barrels as they entered the town.
There, the first secretary of the district council, Mr. Gresham, a sturdy, taciturn man of fortyfive, arrived. For some reason, Colin assumed Gresham could help both his father and Evelyn.
What do you want, lad? the secretary asked, surprised.
I need Alex Mitford.
And why?
I have business.
No children belong here.
Then Gresham himself appeared. Colin jumped, rattling the secretarys words.
Hold on, dont babble, this cant be sorted. Come in, weve just had someone from Murton arrive.
You know who youre slandering? Youre defaming the chairman, the secretary warned.
Honest pioneer! My sister and mother are wailing, my uncle is about to be jailed, and he didnt take those stooks, I swear
Where did you hear that?
I know! It was all Thomas Archibalds plot to seize Evelyn for marriage she refuses.
Fine, I was coming over today wait at the porch until Mr. Basil brings the cart.
Back in Murton, the secretary inspected the parish council. Thomas Zorin, giving orders, had just reprimanded a lazy tractor operator, Pete. Upon seeing Gresham, everyone fell silent. Thomas straightened, ready to report on village matters.
Colin lingered by the council, peeking through windows. He never liked complaining, even when wronged. Yet his fathers fate haunted him; why would he be imprisoned when he was an honest man? And his sisterwhat could they demand of her?
Tell me, how do you govern here? Gresham asked.
Alex Mitford, as usual, we try
I see you tried, but the hay was taken in spring, and you only now raise a storm. Why were you silent? Waiting for a chance? And what makes you so sure my foreman Zvyagin is guilty? Because my daughter refused you, so you resorted to blackmail
The secretarys questions fell like peas, catching the chairman off guard. Thomas grew paler with each one.
Understood. Im at fault, he admitted. It isnt provenmaybe it wasnt me, maybe someone else took it I tried to frighten him.
Then youll answer for that, Gresham said quietly, his words lashing like a whip. I appointed you, I can remove you youll go to trial for overstepping.
Colin burst in, flinging open a radio. Turn it on, theres news
The broadcast crackled, announcing war, the date flashing: 22June1940.
Colin raced home, breathless.
Mr. Mitford, I accept responsibility, but now is not the time, a wan Thomas said. Dont bring me to courtlet me go to the front; theyll call me anyway.
Gresham, stunned by the news, leaned over the desk, pondering Thomass fate.
The hay is gone, Thomas continued, we dont know whose cattle ate it. Im needed on the front.
Who will stay here? Gresham asked.
Other men will step up, even old Matthew Iliff, past the conscription age, could serve as chairman
Very well, Zorin, I have other matters
A week later, carts gathered around the council, the villagers of Murton and surrounding hamlets assembling. Some wept, others sang, some laughed.
Thomas bowed to the crowd, removed his sack, and stepped into a circle. The village fiddler stretched his bow, the music rising. In an instant, the stern chairman who once scolded everyone transformed, his arms flailing, his feet stamping, drawing the crowd into a frantic dance.
Ah, Thomas Hawthorne, what hands you have well need you to hold a rifle tomorrow, not a bride, muttered Matthew Iliff, now taking Thomass place.
The Zvyagin family bade farewell to their soninlaw. Antonia clung to him like a lash, refusing to let go until a command sounded: Onward, carts!
Winters chill lingered, springs were unpredictable, and hard days came with sorrowful news.
Oh, Mary sighed, watching her daughter, the first trouble passed, yet another follows. Today we think this calamity is the worst, but tomorrow it will dim like a dying fire in the hearth.
Four years saw Murton dwindlewidows and orphans increased, yet the spring of 45 revived hope, drawing the victory nearer.
Fedor returned in March, wounded but home, after being conscripted at eighteen. He was now a soughtafter fiancé.
Why turn away from Fedor? Mary asked the grownup Evelyn. Where else will you find a husband now? Dont turn your back on him, lest he take you as a bridetobe.
I understand, Mother, but I feel nothing
What feelings, Evelyn? Youll remain a girl forever.
A month later Thomas Zorin came back. Women stared as he walked the dusty road, noting his uniforms empty sleeve.
Good day, ladies! How are you? Wheres my wife?
Joyful news shes on the farm, you should go cheer her, todays a celebrationour son has returned.
Thomas quickly rejoined the council. At the first meeting, he was proposed as chairman.
There is already a chairman, Thomas said, Matthew Iliff kept the council through the war; shouldnt he stay?
Selfremoval? the villagers asked.
It follows.
He changedoutwardly and inwardly. No longer shouting, pride softened by wars grind.
Good to see you, Albert Archibald, Thomas greeted, long time.
Good to see you, Thomas Hawthorne.
Enough of patronymics, Im younger than you. I used to boast I thought of you through the war, regretted not asking forgiveness. So now I say: forgive me for those stooks; I knew I wasnt at fault
Albert coughed, Then you, Thomas, forgive me too; I took those stooks
How so?
Its simple. Our cows had nothing to eat, and higher orders said not to touch the stooks, a reserve of sorts. Both you and I got the same directive. I broke it.
He removed his hat, clenched it, the weight of feelings pressing his hands. But I took nothing for myselfmy guilt lies elsewhere
Thats the story, Thomas said, you fed our cows never mind the past, it was long agobefore the war.
Father, why are you talking like that? asked grownup Colin when Albert walked away. He was a snake, now his sting is gone.
Colin received a swift reprimand.
You know little! You havent lived, yet you judge. Thomas Zorin survived the front, earned two medals not a snake.
What, father? Im recalling the past
Forget it know this: its easy to err, hard to right. He patted his sons shoulder, Alls well, son, the wars over, well live.
The mareline creaked, and Evelyn, delighted, stepped forward. Huge milk barrels awaited transport. Thomas, tying a horse with one hand, turned, and Evelyn, clutching a barrel, approached. Hold on, lets do it together, he said, taking the other side. While moving the barrels, she untied the horse, feeling his hand rest gently on her shoulder. No need to pity me, he whispered softly, Ill manage.
I only wanted to help.
You already have, he nodded toward the yard, everyones lifting together.
He nudged the horse, and she watched, her heart swelling with an odd compassion for Thomasa warscarred man she once feared like fire, now she felt an unexpected pity.
Days passed without Thomas; teenagers from the Voloshin family took his place. One warm May afternoon, Evelyn spotted a familiar silhouette, a lone sleeve drifting from afar.
He leapt from a cart, smiling. The wars over, Evelyn, the curse is lifted. The radio just announced a celebration in the fields, and tonight well set tables
She lowered her head onto his chest, both surprised, then embraced. What good news, she whispered, tears soaking her cheek.
He, feeling her breath, stammered, I lack enough arms to hold you.
She replied, I have two arms; together we have threewont that be enough?
He stroked her hair, removed her light veil, kissed her damp face, then pressed her close, breath catching. I wont let go! I survived for a reason.
Mary sorted the chest by the door, filling it with embroidered shawls, towels, and sheets. SheAs the sunrise painted the fields gold, Thomas and Evelyn walked hand in hand toward the village square, where the whole community gathered to celebrate peace, love, and the promise of new beginnings.
