I do not own The Village.
I do love it so much.
Speaking Further On Such Matters
Wisdom and Love
His friend has come.
His friend with the long hair.
His friend with whom he sat whilst he kept fearful watch over the border.
His friend . . .
"You should not have left her, Finton."
. . . who abandoned Ivy to the dangers of Covington Woods.
"It was cowardly of you."
And even though it is difficult for him to speak, as it always has been, the intense shyness that so often seeks to steal his tongue.
"Unseemly."
He must speak.
To the exhaustion of his healing self.
Because it is the right thing to do.
And the other boy ashamedly . . .
"I know, Lucius."
. . . ducks his head in abject misery.
"I am sorry. I was afraid."
But this is not Lucius Hunt's purpose in this exchange, to belittle or humiliate or berate the boy.
"It is not me to whom you must apologize, Finton."
That sniveling boy, already almost in tears, who bursts out in near a sob.
"I did apologize to her! I apologized before I . . . left . . ."
Who cannot finish his pathetic attempt at excuses.
Only able now to shake his head and hide his face in his hair.
Leaving Lucius Hunt to complete his assertion.
With all his waning strength.
"No, Finton. You misunderstand my meaning."
Firmly.
"Your apology must be to yourself."
Quietly.
"You must apologize to yourself and forgive."
Almost as a parent . . .
"And then you must strive to be more."
. . . to a child.
"That is one of the purposes of life."
Who has gone astray.
"Is it not?"
The child who . . .
"Yes, yes . . ."
. . . nods his eager complice . . .
". . . of course."
. . . and agreement.
"Thank you, Lucius. Thank you. You are a good friend."
And Lucius . . .
"Forgive me. I must rest. We will speak more later."
. . . finds suddenly that he is very weary, very weary indeed.
"Yes. Of course."
And wishes . . .
"Be well."
. . . to close his eyes . . .
"You as well."
. . . and rest.
As for the seething Kitty and the unfortunate Christop . . .
"Kity, it has been a fortnight. Lucius Hunt strengthens and Ivy also is safe. You must return to your husband. He is of need of you and you of him. You must forgive him and allow him to prove himself once more worthy of you."
"But Papa-"
"Go, child. Give it two turns of the moon to see that your fire against him has waned. Please. Try."
. . . all is not so well.
"Alright, Papa. If I must."
And so she goes.
"Good evening, Wife."
"Christop."
He is meek and humble to her, grateful again for her presence to him.
"This bread is delicious."
"It is tough and overcooked."
Though the same cannot be said of her.
For the next several days she presses wrinkles into his shirts.
Unevens the collars.
Smudges . . .
"Has this been cleaned?"
"It has. Is there a problem?"
"No, no."
. . . the fronts.
Until her sister, returned safely from her quest and her betrothed now beginning to revive from his grievous wounds comes to her.
"Kitty, I beg of you, you must stop this punishment of your husband. It is not a good foundation for your life together."
"Ivy, he abandoned you in the woods. Full of dangers and monsters!"
And Ivy Walker's insides shiver as she again hears the howling, the growling, in the woods of her mind.
And she regroups.
Strengthens.
"It was distressing, Kitty. I will not lie."
Her sister must be protected. She will tell no one of her experience but her father and Lucius and them sworn to secrecy.
"But the lesson has been learned by him, I believe."
And she reaches out a kind hand to her dearest.
"Forgive him, my sister. Forgive and love."
And Kitty . . .
"How is it that you are so wise and at peace? When you are the younger and I the older?"
. . . squeezes it almost painfully.
And Ivy . . .
"I am but myself, Kitty. I know no other way to be."
. . . squeezes back.
Most appreciative thanks to DinahRay and Encouraging Guest for reviewing soooo long ago.
I hope to update soon, lots to tell and much written.