Edith, her head bowed, wished she’d been able to tell Demetrius where she was going before she’d been dragged here. She knew there was something inherently wrong in what was being asked of her.

‘I haven’t congratulated you on your engagement,’ said Georgeta to Edith.

Edith thanked her.

‘You must be delighted,’ said Georgeta to the cabinet maker.

‘What, me?’ said the cabinet maker. ‘Why should I be delighted? Would you be pleased if your son married a gypsy?’

The question remained unanswered.

Impatiently, he looked round the hall, then, his words slipping together, he said, ‘Edith must swear on her mother’s bible.’

‘Why? What must she swear?’

‘Oh, you wouldn’t understand.’

The commotion outside his study had woken the mayor from his afternoon sleep. He sat up, brushing his hair back. The mayor retained about him the shadow of the handsome young man who was used to having all he wanted without the inconvenience of trying. He enjoyed the idea of being mayor more than the work the role demanded of him, for he was lazy by nature, but he’d had the good fortune to marry a woman who wasn’t.

‘Tell them to come in,’ he called into the hall.

‘About time,’ said the cabinet maker. He marched into the study and stood in front of the mayor’s desk.

‘What’s all this about?’ said the mayor. He looked at his wife who shrugged. He looked at Edith.

‘I want you to witness Edith swearing that if the shepherd isn’t back by first snowfall, she will marry the butcher.’

At the word ‘butcher’ the mayor’s attitude changed. He sat up a little straighter, his expression became more serious. This Edith noted.

‘I want it written down,’ said her father, slapping the mayor’s desk. ‘On proper paper with the letters at the top, that you witnessed Edith’s oath and what she swore to.’ He swayed a little.

Georgeta put her hand lightly on Edith’s arm.

‘This isn’t right,’ she said to the mayor. ‘How can it be? Edith is betrothed to the shepherd – her father consented. How can she now be contracted to the butcher? It’s not… it’s not moral.’

She threw the last word at her husband. He looked away from her and said, ‘Thank you, Georgeta, you may go.’

As the cabinet maker began to tell the mayor all over again what was required, Georgeta whispered to Edith, ‘You mustn’t do this, my dear. You don’t have to.’

‘I have no choice,’ Edith whispered back. ‘But don’t worry, Demetrius will be back for the harvest supper.’

‘I hope so,’ said Georgeta and kissed her cheek before she left the room.