When love runs deep, you lose your head
Mabel, perhaps we should go back to the village. I cant get used to city life; weve been here three years and I still feel like an outsider. The fresh air would be better, and who knows, maybe youll have the child there, William suggested to his wife.
Thomas, you wont believe it, but I thought the same yesterday. Ill go back to teaching at the school, and perhaps a change of scenery will help us, Elspeth replied.
My dearest, its settled then! William said.
William and Elspeth had married four years earlier. After finishing her university course, she moved to his family farm and took a post at the local school. Their love blossomed there, and soon they were wed.
After a year together in the hamlet, Elspeth had to return to the city when her mother fell gravely ill, prompting the move. A year later her mother passed away.
The couple lived peacefully, loving each other, yet the absence of children weighed on them both. Elspeth underwent examinations, but the doctors found nothing amiss.
They packed quickly, hired a carriage, and moved back to the village to the house of Williams mother, who lived alone.
Thank heavens, exclaimed Margaret, the motherinlaw, waving her hands, youre not just collecting your things for good. Ive been praying, and at last my prayers have been answered. The spare room is yours, therell be room for everyone. We lived well before, though your father, Thomas, has been gone a year now I miss him. I prayed that God would bring you back, and He did
William found work again in the village garage, welcomed with warm smiles, while Elspeth returned to the school.
Good day, Miss Elspeth Harrington, greeted the school headmaster, Mr. Arthur Pritchard, its a relief youre back; theres a vacancy, and not many are willing to come out here.
On Friday evening Margaret set a modest feast at her home, expecting neighbours, friends of William, Elspeths former pupils and their parents. All were glad to see Elspethaffectionately called Ellie by the localsreturn. The happiest of all was Sam, the village drunk, whom Elspeth had rescued from the mire, that is, the bottom of a bottle.
No one in the village believed Sam would ever give up his habit, yet Elspeth trusted him and gave him a chance. Sam burst into Margarets yard, saw William and his older brother, embraced them fiercely, forgetting to greet anyone else.
Thomas, is it true? Words got around that you and Ellie are back in our part of the world, Sam blurted. I get ityoure a local lad, but shes a city teacher!
Were home for good, William replied, clapping Sam on the shoulder.
Wheres she? Wheres our Ellie? Sam asked, already darting toward the house. He saw Elspathy, seized her, spun her around a few times and set her down gently.
Ellie! Ellie Harrington, how delighted I am! he shouted.
At the doorway, William leaned against the frame, smiling.
At last, Im convinced. Ive understood everything. Come visit us soon. My Vera will be thrilled. I must rush home; I promised my wife Id look after our little Vera. Well see you tomorrow dont be late, he waved, hurrying out.
Shes not drinking? Elspeth asked Margaret.
Not a drop since. She loves her childalmost two years now.
What did you name her?
Ellie, of course. Isnt that obvious? Margaret chuckled. You guessed, didnt you?
Ellie? Like me?
Not after you, but in your honour, Sam replied, did you forget how you used to look after her? No one thought you could turn a wastrel into a decent man
The next day Elspeth and William visited Sams home. His wife Vera was bustling about a set table, and from a tiny room emerged a small doll with curls like Sams, blue eyes and chubby cheeks, shyly approaching.
Look, darling, whos arrived, Sam said, the uncles called William and the aunt, just like you, is Annette.
Hello, Annette, Elspeth knelt and handed the doll to the child.
The little girl clutched the doll, took Elspeths hand and led her to the bedroom.
Well, William, youve lost a wife, Sam laughed, shes liked our child. She fits right in, hiding behind us, and now you see the good in her heart.
More of Sam and Veras relatives arrived, eight of them around the table, then a handful of neighbours whod turned up on a whimwhere theres a feast, folk drift in. Everyone rejoiced that William and his wife were back. Some brought pies, others jam, pickles, a bottle of cider, and a couple even dusted off a battered accordion. The house rang with merriment.
Sam rose, intending to toast the couple. He lifted his glass but did not drinkhed long ago given up alcohol.
I, more than anyone here, owe everything I have today to Miss Elspeth Harrington, our Ellie. All know the part she played in my oncepointless life. Yes, people whispered behind my back when I walked to the teachers house, There goes the lad again, courting the schoolmistress in broad daylight. Isnt she a proper young lady, educated, and whos she seen with? It was so, I saw it all, yet few realised that between a man and a woman there can be more than gossipreal, clean friendship, simply human. And deep down, I loved Vera. No one ever guessed that.
It was a thing, the villagers murmured, listening intently.
Ill never forget the first time Ellie approached me, smiled kindly and said, Sam, could you help my pupils build birdhouses? She also told me to stay sober. I wanted a drink, as you know, but I promised her and kept my word. I made two birdhouses; I thought it might be a harmless task. Yet I feared if she asked again and I failed I was angry then, but I didnt drink, Sam recalled, his gaze sweeping the room.
Then Ellie came again, asked for something else, and I was eager to help. It set me on a path. The urge to drink was strong, sometimes overwhelming, but I stopped, for I didnt want her to see me drunk. I liked being useful. She urged me to take a drivers course; I passed, got a job right away, and have been steering a wheel ever since. Thats how I returned to a sober life, he winked at the gathered folk.
Only when she left the village with William did I realise that anyone could build those birdhouses if she asked. She tugged me from the dark tunnel, step by step, toward the light. She was my guardian angel. For months she watched over me, believed in me. Thank you, Ellie, Sam bowed toward Elspeth, who beamed as the room clapped.
When I stood on my own feet, God seemed to say I must do it myself. If I could, I would walk like any man; if not, Id crawl until my time was up. I never had the right to give up. Oh, how I missed you, Ellie. At that moment everything fell into place with Vera; we were together, she believed in me too. By marrying her and raising our child, I owe everything to Miss Harrington. So we must all love and cherish her, for her good heart and kind soul. And you, William, are a fine man; I admire you. Love her, and shell love you. All will be well.
Time passed. William toiled in the garage, and Elspeth taught the children. One afternoon she returned from school pale and trembling, her legs weak. She sank onto the settee.
Ellie, whats wrong? Margaret asked, surprised to see her lying down during the day. Are you ill?
I dont knowweakness, nausea, a strange feeling.
Margarets eyes brightened.
Perhaps youre expecting a child, dear?
I dont dare hope any longer
Never lose hope. Lets see a doctor first thing tomorrow.
Elspeth went to the towns clinic; the doctor confirmed the news.
Congratulations, youll have a baby. See, I told you
William was on his way home from work when his wife arrived, her face alight.
My love, he exclaimed, leaping to hug her, you neednt say a word; the joy is written all over you. She laughed merrily.
Later that night a carriage took Elspeth to the district maternity ward; William rode with her. In the quiet of the night she gave birth to a son. At dawn Margaret visited the ward, sitting on a bench beside the newborn.
Mother, its all right. I cant believe this is happening to me. I love Ellie so much it sometimes scares me. Is this madness, or just fierce love? I just want her close. She asked.
Its normal, my boy. When you truly love, you lose your head, Margaret said, smiling at her grandson.
Well bring Ellie and the child home; Ill help her, she thought, watching the little boy. He looks like a man outside, but inside hes still a child.
All was well, and happiness filled the hearth. Some months later Ellie bore a daughter, a source of sheer delight for everyone.
William, who had completed his studies by correspondence, now served as the chief agronomist. The school offered Ellie the post of headmistress, but she felt no desire for it.
