Spring Scene 2

[micraster]

I drew: The one of swords which has the suggested interpretation.... You mix up a blend of herbs and bless it for someone in need. Enid has forgotten the original meeting with this young man. I imagine he went to the abandoned house feeling rather melancholy and was surprised to find someone there. Whatever Enid did for him, she has forgotten, but it obviously worked. 

Enid is woken by a violent thumping on the door frame. A young man she does not recognise yanks the door open and crashes into the house. She looks around for an escape route. The white robed spirit is fluttering around the room

The boy is now in the stiing room where Enid had been sleeping "It worked! I did it exactly the way you said and it worked! She loves me! The most beautiful girl this side of the white mountains, well at any road the most beautiful girl that I ever saw and she is in love with me and all because of your potion"

Enid looks at this stranger with confused eyes. "Well I don't……."

 

"So like we agreed, I've got you some firewood, enough to last you through till summer but first let me see to this"

 

The peace of her makeshift home is shattered by this boy who has the stovepipe in clattering pieces and is now poking a long hazel sappling up the chimney. A bird's nest is knocked loose and he uses it as kindling in the belly of the stove. Once it is back together he strikes a spark and breathes the fire into life. 

"I didn't….." Enid runs out of words.

 

The boy is off, fetching armloads of split logs and kindling that he stacks in kitchen near to the the stove. The noise and urgency of youth leaves Enid rooted to the spot. Now he is dusting and chair and bringing in close to the stove.

"Come and sit here" he takes her hands "you're hands are cold, I'm not surprised in this old house with no fire, I'll get your blanket" 

 

He fusses and settles her in the chair and wraps her blanket round her shoulders. He fetches a battered old kettle from the cart. "we use this in the fields but you have more use for it than me". He draws a bucket of water from the well and makes tea. He cooks buttered eggs in an old skillet and cuts a thick slice of bread, all the time talking about his girl and her hair and the smell of her breath and her laugh and Enid soaks it in. The rich food and the warmth of the fire and this young man in love makes her smile and she is happy. 

 

When he leaves, she thanks him for his kindness and makes him promise he will come back. He tells Enid that next time he will bring the girl. When he is gone and the house is quiet once more, the spirit returns to Enid's side, now a little bolder and more distinct, like Enid it is made a little more substantial by the warmth and the food and the company.