Then the voice of authority was heard. “Stop that at once, you stupid boys,” said Ma, coming around the corner of the house. Erman and Eadbald immediately stood still.

Cwenburg protested: “You spoiled the fun!”

Ma said: “Put your dress back on, you shameless child.”

For a moment Cwenburg looked as if she might be tempted to defy Ma, and tell her to go to the devil, but she did not have the nerve. She turned around, took a step into the barn, and bent down to pick up her dress. She did so slowly, making sure they all got a good view of her rear. Then she turned around and lifted the dress over her head, raising her arms so that her breasts stuck out. Edgar could not help looking, and he noticed that she had put on weight since he saw her naked in the river.

At last she lowered the garment over her body. For a final touch she wriggled inside it until she was comfortable.

Ma murmured: “Heaven spare us.”

Edgar spoke to his brothers. “I suppose one of you was shagging her and the other objected.”

Eadbald said indignantly: “Erman forced her!”

“I did not force her,” said Erman.

“You must have! She loves me!”

“I did not force her,” Erman repeated. “She wanted me.”

“She did not.”

Edgar said: “Cwenburg, did Erman force you?”

She looked coy. “He was very masterful.” She was enjoying this.

Edgar said: “Well, Eadbald says you love him. Is that true?”

“Oh, yes.” She paused. “I love Eadbald. And Erman.”

Ma made a disgusted noise. “Are you telling us you’ve lain with both of them?”

“Yes.” Cwenburg looked pleased with herself.

“Many times?”

“Yes.”

“For how long?”

“Since you arrived here.”

Ma shook her head in revulsion. “Thank God I never had daughters.”

Cwenburg protested: “I didn’t do it on my own!”

Ma sighed. “No, it takes two.”

Erman said: “I’m the eldest, I should marry first.”

Eadbald gave a scornful laugh. “Who told you that was a rule? I’ll marry when I want, not when you say.”

“But I can afford a wife and you can’t. You’ve got nothing. I’m going to inherit the farm one day.”

Eadbald was outraged. “Ma has three sons. The farm will be divided among us when Ma dies, which I hope will not happen for many years.”

Edgar said: “Don’t be stupid, Eadbald. This farm can barely support our family now. If the three of us each tried to raise a family on one third of the land, we’d all starve.”

Ma said: “Edgar is the only one of you talking sense, as usual.”

Eadbald looked genuinely hurt. “So, Ma, does that mean you’re going to throw me out?”

“I would never do such a thing. You know that.”

“Do the three of us have to be celibate, like a convent of monks?”

“I hope not.”

“What are we going to do, then?”

Ma’s answer caught Edgar by surprise. “We’re going to talk to Cwenburg’s parents. Come on.”