The Tinker's Girl by Catherine Cookson

Author:Catherine Cookson [Cookson, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-04-07T15:21:39+00:00

PART TWO

It was now July 1872 and a great deal had happened since Christmas, on this hill as well as in the valley. Here, at the farm, alterations to the buildings were immediately noticeable.

In the farmhouse itself, the recess that had held the bed had been extended to make a room as large as the kitchen. It had its own fireplace on the far wall, as well as a loft above, in which a person of normal height could stand up.

The pig-swill room remained as it was, as did the sty and the barn, although around the corner were two new cow-byres and beyond, a stone building had been converted into a dairy. But these changes seemed insignificant when, on entering the cottage, one found oneself in what was really a thirty-foot room, with a fire and a cooking oven in the kitchen area and with an open fire at the far end, with the whole of the floor space covered either in rope or cocoa matting. The stone walls had been plastered and lime-washed and the two windows, the larger of which was in the extension, both sported brightly patterned cotton curtains. The room was sparsely furnished, but nevertheless there were signs of comfort in the newer part with two worn, chintz-covered armchairs and a backless settle seat placed against the fireside wall. This was four feet long and had a thick, comfortable pad on it. This too was chintz-covered but gave evidence of much wear, being patched at the corners. It had at one time graced another farmhouse kitchen, as had the other odds and ends. But odds and ends or not, they could not at this time have brought more delight to Jinnie had they been pieces worthy of the name of antique.

The sleeping arrangements, too, had been altered.

The loft above the new room took two pallet beds comfortably, and was shared by Bruce and Max, although Max could not stand up straight in any part of it. However, this did not deter him from appreciating his new quarters.

As for Bruce, he was glad to have Max's company at night, for he had grown very fond of the big fella.

What was strange, although Bruce never referred to it, in case by doing so he should check the flow, was that Max's stammering and incoherence was now hardly noticeable. Perhaps it was because the man was happy.

But in spite of the apparent well-being of the farm, money was still very tight. And yet Bruce would have been content but for one concern. And the name of that was Hal.

For months now he had tried to prepare himself for his brother's return. Moreover, one thing was sure: whatever had happened to him on his voyages would not have lessened his hatred of either Max or Jinnie.

Then, there would be the question of the real ownership of the farm, for no matter what his mother might have wished, or indeed expressed, Bruce felt that Hal could legally claim ownership. And

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