The Dumb Shall Sing by Stephen Lewis

Author:Stephen Lewis [Lewis, Stephen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Mystery
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1999-11-03T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

The maidservant, a young girl whom Catherine recognized as a member of a recently arrived family, opened the door at Catherine’s knock and turned her head to the bed at the rear of the front room where Magistrate Woolsey lay.

“He says he cannot rise,” the girl said.

“Not at all,” Woolsey said, but he made no effort to get up. The girl shrugged and disappeared into the rear of the house.

Catherine sat on a stool next to the bed. Woolsey tried to lift himself, but his face contorted in pain, and he clutched at his right arm before collapsing back onto the mattress, which shuddered under his considerable weight for a moment but held.

“I tell you Catherine, that woman walked by the front of my house yester evening, and I have lost the use of my arm, it pains me so.”

“Psaw,” she replied. “Do you think you are bewitched, then?”

He started to nod, and then he shrugged.

“I know not. But people say Goody Hawkins is to be feared.”

“What people say is not always to be believed. That poor girl, in the prison, convicted before her trial.”

Woolsey frowned.

“Some people also say that Goody Hawkins bewitched that baby and caused it to die out of spite, as she was not invited to attend the birth.” His expression turned darkly serious, and he reached a hand to touch Catherine’s arm. “And let us not forget who was at that birth. Some say you have something to hide.”

“I trust you know better than that Joseph Woolsey.”

“I do, but I must ask you what you know of what happened last night. The constable was here at dawn to tell me that your Indian, Matthew, was drunk last night and when he was quite rightly put in the jail, he attacked the jailor and made good his escape. And, it seems, the girl took advantage of his action and fled into the night.”

“That is right in part.”

He looked hard at her.

“This is a serious matter, Catherine. Do not speak idly to me.”

“I do not. The girl did not flee when the opportunity arose. She fled with Matthew, because I sent him there to free her.

Woolsey shook his head slowly from side to side.

“Catherine,” he said and then again, “Catherine. Why? You were an impetuous child, but you are a woman of years now.”

“I needed the time,” she said.

“But to disobey the magistrates of this town. Not that I take offense. I have known you too long. But as your magistrate, I must be offended. Do you not see? As the Lord, Jesus, is the father of the church, and the husband the father of the household, so is the magistrate...”

Catherine had heard her mother say that she must obey her father, as head of the household. She had heard her father say she must obey the minister, because as head of the religious community he was another father. She had heard the minister say she should obey the magistrate, because as head of political community, he was yet another father.

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