The Remembered Read Online Free PDF Page A

until the illness was gone from the towne before they moved into the cottage.

The illness had been such a sever blow to the village that nearly every family had been affected in some way. Most had lost a family member. Lind didn't like to think about it, but the plague had also been a good thing for his family. They now had a cottage of their own far sooner than they might have otherwise. The farm was entirely his. Without the plague, he would have been required to find his own land to farm. That wouldn't be easy since most of the land was already leased from Saint Leonard's Priory or from Lord Burghley. After the plague there was ample land to lease and at a better price. The devastation of the plague though was horrible to watch as families were removed from the land when their husbands and fathers died and the lease could no longer be paid. Such poor creatures were turned off the land that they had been on for generations and were left to beg or to make do as best they could. So, despite the bitterness of losing his father and his mother, Lind's situation had improved greatly on account of the plague. These mixed feelings did cause him to feel ashamed before God.

Lind and Gleda had been married now for five years. They had one child, a boy that they called Bromley and now Gleda was with child again. The prospect of the added responsibility of feeding and clothing another human being weighed heavily on Lind. He had always been a jovial sort, but with the plague and the loss of his parents and now the prospect of an addition to the family, his shoulders were already starting to slump a little and his temples had a hint of gray. Gleda on the other hand was joyous at the news of the new baby.

On the day that they finally were able to move into the cottage the priest from All Saints' paid them a visit. This wasn't to be a social call however, he was on business. He had brought with him a bundle and placed it in Gleda's arms.

'Gud dee to you, Father', greeted Gleda. 'Whot's this then?'

Father Patrick kicked the dirt at his feet and shifted his weight as though he had something to say that he just couldn't bring himself to say. ' 'is name is Richard,' he managed.

'Aye, I do nay care whot 'is name is,' offered Lind, 'whot is 'e doing 'ere?'

'Truth is that 'is mother deed and 'is father can nay care for 'im, so 'e left 'im with me. I need to find 'im a 'ome.'

'You can nay leave 'im 'ere,' protested Lind, 'Can you nay see that I 'ave enuf mouths to feed already?'

'Aye, boot 'e is lit'le and with Gleda's wee one combin' soon, she will 'ave plen'hy of milk for two wee ones. Surely, this is God's will.'

'I do nay know anythin' aboot God's will. Was it God's will that 'is mother deed?' stated Lind.

Gleda, who had already peered into the eyes of the infant, felt that it indeed was God's will. 'Lind,' she said quietly, 'Surely it is God's will. Luk at 'im. 'e will nay be a burden. 'e will nay even eat for sevrul munths. We shall 'ave a crop by then. Do you feel it, Lind?'

Lind knew that he was not going to be successful with any protestations, so he decided to look for the first time into the eyes of the child. As he did, his heart softened and he too felt that it was God's will.

'God bless this 'ouse,' said Father Patrick as he left through the gate. He seemed much lighter on his feet and his countenance was lifted.

Gleda and Lind took Richard into their family and cared for him as their own. Gleda's milk began to flow and Richard began to thrive. Bromley loved the prospect of having a little brother. Within a fortnight Gleda lost her waters. Lind was in the fields planting.

'Bromley!' cried Gleda. 'Ruun and fetch me midwife, Mrs. Reilly. 'urry lad.' Bromley ran as fast as he could up Church Street, past the Bake House to High Street. There he found Mrs. Reilly at the Swan Inn. Lind was already in from the fields when Mrs. Reilly arrived at the cottage. 'You must wait outseed,' she instructed Lind as she went