There was a dark shape crouched on the ice. Katherine steadied her arm on her new friend and peered down at the small creature aware of her own need to sleep and the shape’s utter stillness and silence. Was this death as it should be? Nothing moved around them; no urgent footsteps, no voices from the village. Just this outline of a life. Katherine closed her eyes and thought about praying and then knew that she could not.
When she opened her eyes again, the girl had knelt down, swaddling the animal in her scarf, her hair still touching the older woman’s gloved hand. The creature faintly lifted a black face and took a look at them. One breath , one life. The girl lifted the creature into her coat and held on.
We need a box and straw and a fire. You have a fire too?
Mais oui. All day long the help would build her sick mistress a small fire, promising better wood, less smoke. They were nearly there and the girl waited for Katherine to open the gate,and then the door, gestures that made the latter feel suddenly bold and brave. The fire was red and the girl settled the creature on the slate, calling to the maid for a saucer of water and honey. Now some chopped meat quickly.
Drink you. Eat this.
The girl started to loosen Katherine’s boots and moved each toe slowly in the direction of the fire.Wisps of steam rose from brown stockings and for the first time in months, Katherine smiled.