Wide is the Water Read Online Free PDF Page B

that. She did, too, I’m sure, but what could she do? And him making a favour of having her. It made you sick to hear him. She’s dying, ain’t she? She has the look Pa had after he was wounded. What’s going to happen then, ma’am? What’s going to happen to Miss Ruth?’
    â€˜I’ve promised to look after her.’ Had she been mad to do so? But what else could she have done?
    â€˜Oh, I’m
glad.
’ His reaction was heartwarming. ‘That’s the best news yet. I’ve been right down worried for Miss Ruth, and that’s no lie. A winter like this, no one’s got anything to do but sit home and talk. And it’s not been nice talk, not about Miss Ruth. I heard something in the doctor’s kitchen I didn’t like about half. Something about witches and Salem. You’ll take her away, won’t you, ma’am, and let me come too? No wages, of course. Just the same as ever.’
    â€˜Thank you, Jed. But as to going away, I don’t know what to do for the best. My husband will look for me here.’
    â€˜You could leave a message,’ he said. ‘He’s a privateer captain, ain’t he?’ Awed respect in his tone. ‘They can get anywhere. He’ll find you. I don’t like to think whatmight happen to Miss Ruth if she stayed here through the winter. People act funny since this war. When they get into crowds. I saw a tarring and feathering once. Miss, it was horrible. The man died after.’
    â€˜I’ve seen one, too.’ Mercy shuddered, remembering the times she had encountered the mob in Savannah. ‘But surely, it could never happen here; not in New England? It all seems so peaceful, so civilised …’
    â€˜I wouldn’t want to bet Miss Ruth’s life on that.’ Jed jumped to his feet. ‘There’s someone coming now!’
    â€˜Bill Barnes, I hope. The man who brought me.’ But she had caught his anxiety, and they hurried together to gaze out the front window.
    She saw Bill Barnes, alone and looking anxious, too. ‘Thank God it’s snowing again.’ He stamped his feet as he entered the kitchen and dusted down his greatcoat before he took it off.
    â€˜Thank God?’ Mercy asked, puzzled.
    â€˜Yes. I wouldn’t have believed it. The things they’re saying in town. About Mark Paston’s sister.’
    â€˜Oh, no!’ Mercy exchanged a quick glance with Jed.
    â€˜And that’s not all.’ Barnes tramped through into the kitchen and held out cold hands to the fire. ‘There’s talk about you, too, ma’am. Being a Jonah. I hate to tell you. But rumour flies fast across the ice. Men from one of the ships frozen in got to speak to the crew of the
Georgia
while you and Cap’n Purchis were onshore. Heard a bunch of lies and nonsense and passed it on, back to Boston. The place was fair buzzing with talk when I got there. Witches and warlocks and Jonahs and God knows what, all mixed up together. Parcel of rubbish.’ He was both angry and very worried indeed. ‘How’s the old lady?’ he asked.
    â€˜Dying.’
    â€˜We couldn’t move her?’
    â€˜Not possibly. You don’t really think something might happen?’ She paused, facing this new threat with a mixture of horror and fury.
    â€˜I’m darned glad it’s snowing,’ he said again. ‘Bit of luck, it should keep those madmen at home. Talk of riding the pair of you out of town on a rail,’ he said grimly. ‘And the
Georgia
sailed with the tide, so no chance of help from that quarter.’
    â€˜Oh, I’m glad,’ said Mercy. And then. ‘But the crew. If they were talking like that …’
    â€˜It don’t sound good for Cap’n Purchis, ma’am, and that’s the truth. I just hope he gets a fine prize quick and easy. It might make all the difference. You know how it is.’ Was he apologising for