Ted's missus puts her mug down on the table with a decisive thump.
'He has to be gone by tomorrow, Ted!'
Ted looks at his wife in surprise at her outburst. Outside the thump of her tea is echoed by the steady chop, chop, chop of wood being cut for the winter. Ted's misses glares at her husband, preparing herself for an argument. Ted, as predictable as February rain, supplies it.
'Now then misses, he's been a good worker these last four days, strong... willing too, despite them fancy clothes of his.' Ted chews on the end of his pipe. ' All the top field hoed, and saving my back chopping that oak...' He considers for a moment, 'I been wonderin' whether we could keep him on few more weeks, like'.
Ted glances quickly at his wife, judging how his words are received. She gives him no doubt over her feelings, bursting out, 'Gone by tomorrow, Ted Hall, or bless me, I'm going to my sister's and you won't see me 'til harvest!'
Ted sits back in his chair as though thumped - his missus's sister ... this must be serious.
'Come now love... he's outlandish lookin' and all that. And yer right about keeping him out of sight of neighbours - I don't want no gossip either. But, he's a good worker ... and... it aint like you to turn a traveller away from the door..'
'It aint about hospitality - and we've already done what is fair and proper. Three days bed and board we've given him. Its time he moved on. Look at him! Bag o' bones he was when he got here - now he's as fit and sleek as a cow on summer pasture! ' Ted's missues observes, adding darkly ' Tain't right that, either. Aint seen a man go from famine to feast so quick before.'
'Hmmm... well, I suppose he's foreign. Can't expect them to be like normal folk, love' Ted counters weakly, shooting a glance out of the window at the fit, strong southerner. Ted sips his tea thoughtfully as he watches the dark man, seemingly tireless, splitting the wood intently. The axe rises and falls, flashing in the noon sun. Ted shivers unexpectedly, and turns away to his wife.
'Mayhap just a few more days then, eh lov...' Ted's compromise is throttled before its birth.
'Tomorrow. Ted. Please...' His missus begs, her voice low and earnest. Ted waits, knowing his wife so well, serious now he hears the rare vulnerability in her voice.
'Please Ted. He looks at me so strangely. I can't bear it no more'
