“I’ve met the family,” Ingeborg added. “They’re good, kindly, sensible; there’s peace in that home.”
“Liveliness too,” Niels smiled. “You’ll enjoy yourself.”
“Are they piousT’ Margrete asked.
“The bishop picked them, didn’t her’
The girl sat mute for a spell, in the blustery day. “I had some forewarning of this,” she said finally, staring at the flagstones.
“Mother Ellin was hard set ~gainst it-“
“Are you happy hereT’ Ingeborg inquired.
“What has become of. . . Tauno and Eyjan?’
Margrete did not see the pain that crossed the others. “We
know not,” said Niels. “Since more than a year.”
Ingeborg laid an arm around the girl. “Are you happy here?’ she repeated. “If you truly are, why, stay. You can deed your legacy to the convent, or do whatever else you want with it. We came just to give you your freedom, darling.”
Margrete drew a sharp breath. Her fingers clung to her knees.
“The sisters. . . are . .. . kind. I. . . am learning things-“
Ingeborg nodded. “But you share Tauno’s blood.”
“I ought to stay. Mother Ellin says I ought!”
“Those who rank her say you needn’t,” Niels reminded.
“Oh, I would like children-“ The slight form bent over in
weeping.
Ingeborg sought to embrace her. Margrete pulled away, rose, retreated to a pillar and hugged that while the sobs racked her. Man and woman waited.
Presently, still hiccoughing but with calm welling up from within, the maiden turned around to them and said:
“Yes, I must pray for guidance, but I do think I’ll go. Best it not be with you, though. Could you get me a different escort for, oh, next week?”
“We can abide that long in Viborg,” Niels offered.
Margrete stood stiffly before them and forced the words forth:
“No, please not. I should see you two no more than needful, ever. For I am a living sign of God’s grace, and you-I’ve heard about your ways—oh, do mend them, do marry! Shun those halflings, too, for your salvation’s sake, unless you can get them to take baptism. But I don’t suppose you can, and-yes, they were very good to me, I’ll pray for them if the priest says I may-but impurity and soulless things out of heathendom are not for Chris-tian people to consort with, are they?”