The Ferryman - Book 1

Chapter 23:

A Job from Mrs. Tunhofe

Moth sat at the kitchen table the next morning, as Rodin and Ama made breakfast. Moth held Camb on her lap and told him about all the machines she had used in the washhouse, and how they turned and bent, and he listened with an intent expression as he chewed on a piece of bread.

Priscilla was sitting down with her feet up, slowly sipping on a cup of tea, when the back door opened and Japh entered the house, followed by Patri.

“Mere?” said Japh, surprised. He gave her hug. “I thought you’d be at the main house. I was going to ride by and visit you this evening.”

“So good to see you again,” said Patri, giving Moth’s hand a pat. She was so beautiful, her hair swept back in coils and her wide almond eyes looking out from behind her bangs, like a fawn peering out at the world. On her forehead was prominent white scar, from where Ama had hit her with her bow.

Her heart pounding, Moth controlled her breathing and smiled. “I’m sorry I couldn’t come to the wedding, I’m sure you looked gorgeous in your wedding dress. It would’ve been worth the trip just to see you in lace.”

“Oh, I meant to thank you for the lace you sent,” said Patri.

Moth began calming down. “You’re welcome! I know its tradition to trim the wedding dress, but in Magden I saw they trim a shawl in the lace so they can wear it in more often.”

“Well,” said Patri, but paused as Japh handed her a cup of tea, giving him a smile. “Well,” she continued, “that’s very practical.”

“I know I mentioned it in the letter, but it was really so hard to decide on what lace to get – there are so many choices in the city – until I found your one, the pattern called ‘nobility’, and I thought it was perfect, since that’s what your name means.”

“That really is such a very pretty name for lace.”

Moth paused. She couldn’t tell if Patri was interested of bored by the conversation. “Did you end up trimming your dress or the shawl with it?”

“Well,” said Patri, smiling again. “I didn’t like the pattern on it, so I sold it in the market and got jewelry instead.”

“Oh,” said Moth. They sat in silence for a moment, as Patri sipped her tea. Moth clutched onto Camb tighter, who wriggled in protest and got down. Moth cleared her throat. “How do you like your house?”

“It’s really so cute,” said Patri. “Little tiny hallways squeezing into tiny little rooms. I’ve never even seen a house so small before, and now I live in one.” She took a sip of the tea and sighed.

Japh looked over. “How is it?”

“It’s lovely, of course, I just wish I had thought to bring my tea here. I love a soft floral tea in the morning.”

Standing up, Japh said, “I’ll go get it.”

Patri shook her head and giggled. “Don’t be silly. I’m feeling a little queasy – now don’t looked alarmed, I’m fine! – so I think it’d be best if I went home, got some tea, and laid down.”

Japh fretted over her, but she gave him a kiss and waved goodbye, then set off down the path back to their house across the field. Japh watched her from the window until she was out of sight, then began chatting with Rodin about the fields north on his property and the water table.

Moth caught sight of Priscilla watching her. She raised her eyebrows but didn’t say anything. Only when Patri left did Ama untense and sit down at the table with them, setting down biscuits and gravy for everyone as Rodin finished frying up the eggs.

Boots stomped outside and the door in the other room opened. Mrs. Tunhofe grunted into the back room with pails of milk, clunking them down onto a counter by the window.

“Opal,” said Priscilla.

Mrs. Tunhofe sighed and removed her boots, leaving them outside, and stuffed her feet into slippers before she came into the kitchen.

Moth opened her mouth, but Priscilla said, “Mere’s here.”

“Mere, child,” said Mrs. Tunhofe, coming over and kissing Moth’s forehead. “I thought I wouldn’t see you for another week or so.”

“She wanted to see us all,” said Priscilla.

Mrs. Tunhofe pulled up a chair next to Moth. “How are you?”

“She wants to talk to you,” said Priscilla.

“Oh that’s not necessary, as you’re talking just fine for her.” Mrs. Tunhofe pulled out her pipe and began stuffing the bowl. She looked at Moth; “How are you?”

“Fine, but I wanted to ask you something,” said Moth, trying not to smile as Priscilla irritably drank her tea. “I want to help, and I was wondering if you knew of a job I could do?”

Mrs. Tunhofe mulled over the words, placed the pipe in her mouth, but before she lit it, asked, “Help with what, exactly?”

“Hiren.” Moth rubbed her nose. “Well, I don’t know exactly what I want to help with, I suppose that’s a broad way of saying it.”

“I’m gleaning. Theres a lot of difficulties in Hiren, but physically you wouldn’t be able to manage much with your hand as it is. Still, there’s much can be done with just one arm to help.”

Moth waited as Mrs. Tunhofe lit her pipe and puffed on it, scratched her leg, and accepted a cup of tea from Ama.

“Well?” said Priscilla. “You should just take her on your rounds and let her pick what she wants to help with.”

Mrs. Tunhofe closed her eyes, “I’m thinking, Pris, let me think.”

“Your rounds?” Moth asked.

“After the morning chores, I go around and talk with the farmers to get an idea of what’s going on, that way I can give a report to Clem and Norwin about the state of things.” Mrs. Tunhofe got a plate and began pouring gravy over his biscuits. “Some write to Clem, or visit him, but most of the farmers won’t talk about it if they’re having troubles. Some can’t write to send a letter, or won’t walk or ride the distance to tell anyone about it.”

Moth felt a warmth in her chest. “Can I come with you? I want to know what’s happening to them. Could I write it down when I’m there?”

Giving a slow, thoughtful nod, Mrs. Tunhofe said, “That’d be fine. I lose some details when I come back from visiting, and I know Clem needs the finer points.”

“Are you going today?”

Chuckling, Mrs. Tunhofe said, “Well you don’t want to settle in at all, do you? We can go today.”