‘My father said a Yorkshireman bought all the yarn at the last auction.’
‘Now you know why. Double the cloth requires double the yarn. But we make yarn on a spinning wheel, the way it’s been done since I don’t know when, probably before Noah built his ark.’
‘So we need more spinners. Are you short of yarn too?’
‘I saw this problem coming up the road, and I laid in a stock. I’m surprised your father didn’t do the same. Obadiah was always far-sighted.’
‘Not any more,’ said Amos, and he turned away, for he had seen that Jane was no longer talking to Rupe, and he was eager to catch her before another boy moved in. He crossed the hall in a few strides, carrying his cup and saucer, and said: ‘Good evening, Jane.’
‘Hello, Amos. Wasn’t that an interesting discussion?’
He did not want to talk about the Beatitudes. ‘I love that dress.’
‘Thank you.’
‘It’s the same colour as your eyes.’
She tilted her head to the side and smiled, a characteristic pose that made his mouth go dry with desire. She said: ‘Fancy you noticing my eyes.’
‘Is that unusual?’
‘Many men don’t know the colour of their own wives’ eyes.’
Amos laughed. ‘That’s hard to imagine. Can I ask you something?’
‘Yes, although I may not answer.’
‘Would you walk out with me?’
She smiled again, but shook her head, and he knew at once that his dreams were doomed. ‘I like you,’ she said. ‘You’re sweet.’
He did not want to be sweet. He had a feeling that girls did not fall for boys who were sweet.
She went on: ‘But I don’t want to grow fond of a boy who has nothing to offer but hopes.’
He did not know what to say. He did not think of himself as onewho had nothing but hopes, and he was shocked that she saw him that way.
She said: ‘We’re Methodists, so we must tell the truth. I’m sorry.’
They looked at one another a moment longer, then she put her hand on his arm lightly, a gesture of sympathy; and she turned away.
Amos went home.
6
KIT WAS AWAKENED ATfive o’clock by Fanny, the thirteen-year-old maid. She was skinny and spotty, with thin mousy hair tucked into a dirty white cap, but she was kind to Kit and showed him how to do everything, and he adored her. He called her Fan.
This morning she had bad news. ‘Mr Will is back.’
‘Oh, no!’
‘He arrived late last night.’
Kit was dismayed. Will Riddick hated him and was mean to him whenever he got the chance. When Will had gone to Kingsbridge, Kit had thanked God. Will had been away for six blessed weeks, doing something with the militia. Now the reprieve was over.
Will was not an early riser, so Kit was safe for a few hours, probably.
Kit and Fan dressed quickly and moved quietly through the cold dark house, lighting their way with a rush lamp that Fan carried. Kit would have been scared of the shadows in the high rooms, but he felt safe with her.
