Saraband for Two Sisters

We were in a large kitchen with an open fireplace at one end and a long refectory table with benches for seats and two chairs with arms at either end. On a dresser were pewter vessels, and hanging from chains over the fireplace was a large black pot in which something savory was cooking; from the wall oven came the appetizing smell of baking.

I said I was surprised to find that we were neighbors.

“Our families were very friendly at one time,” said Ella Longridge, “but differences arose and you saw the climax at the ball. My brother had not so openly expressed his disapproval of certain matters before, and your husband took exception to his view. It may well be that he would not wish you to come here, but shall we say this is a meeting between two women who do not care so ardently for the quarrels of men?”

She looked round the farmhouse and said, “You see we live simply here. My brother manages the farm but that is not his only occupation. He was a Member of Parliament and writes papers on political matters. I fear sometimes he is too outspoken; he was never one to consider the effect of his words.”

I could not help liking Ella Longridge, and the thought of having her as a near neighbor lifted my spirits considerably, for I was realizing how lonely I had been. She went to the oven and brought out a batch of little pies, golden brown and looking appetizing.

“We will sample them while they are hot from the oven, and if you would care for it I will give you some of our home-brewed ale.”

She put the ale from a cask into two pewter mugs and set them on the table. Then she took two of the hot pies and placed them on platters. “It is not every day that I have a visitor,” she said.

“We are very near neighbors.”

“By a shortcut we are a mile and a half from each other and our farmland extends almost to the grounds of Far Flamstead.”

“Have you lived here long?” I asked, sipping the delicious ale. “All our lives. We have a residence in London which Luke used when he was a Member of Parliament. He is always hoping that this state of affairs will end, and he with others is working to that purpose. But we are of the land, farming stock, and sometimes I think it would have been better for Luke if he had not dabbled in politics. It can be a dangerous game in such times as these.”

“We seem far removed from all that in Cornwall.”

“Luke seems to think that the storm that is brewing will envelop the whole country-even the most remote areas.”

I shivered. “I hate conflict. My mother used to say that our family had suffered a great deal from it in the past.”

“All families have, I imagine. But the country is in a sorry state, Luke says. There are too many people bent on enjoying what they call the good things of life. They should live more simply.”

“As you do,” I said. “These pies are very good.”

“I do most of the baking myself. We have but two maidservants in the house. Of course there are several people working on the farm. I will show you later if you would like to see. There are the brewhouse where this ale is made, and the dairy, the woodstack barns, the cattle sheds, and we have a separate bakehouse, for there are many to feed.”

“You work very hard, Mistress Longridge.”

“I am content in my work, for it is that to which I have been called.” She asked me questions then about my family, the reason for my coming to London, and about my marriage. I found it pleasant to have someone to talk to. And when we had eaten and drunk she showed me the farmhouse; we ascended the wooden staircase and went through a number of rooms, some of which led into each other; they all had the heavy oak beams and small leaded windows, and all were fresh and clean though rather sparsely furnished.

I said I had to go now as they might well be wondering where I had been and would be alarmed if I did not return in time for dinner.

Ella then said that she would not detain me, but if I wished to call again I should be very welcome. She had few friends in the country because Luke had upset so many of them by his views. It seemed that most of the people they had known were in opposition to him.

As I was about to mount my horse, Luke Longridge himself rode up. He was astonished to see me, and like his sister he recognized me at once.

“So we have a visitor,” he said, dismounting and bowing to me. “It was a surprise call. Mistress Tolworthy was riding by and paused to look at the farm. So, recognizing her, I invited her in.”

“You are welcome,” said Luke. I immediately noticed his plain dark doublet and breeches and hair which was cut close to his head quite different from the fashion. “I was just about to leave, as I did not want them to be anxious about me.”

“You rode here alone?” he asked.

“Yes. It is not far and I did not want a groom to accompany me.”

“And your husband?”

“He is away from home and has been for some weeks.”

“You must allow me to take you home,” he said.