Chapter 12

“I think this must be the loveliest time of the year, Caroline, with all these rich golden/red colors and the carpet of leaves all over everything.”

It was well into October now and the cows had all been moved into their winter quarters. The work on the farm had slackened off a little and Grace and Caroline were relaxing under the ancient oak. Grace had her arm on the back of Caroline’s shoulder and Caroline had her head on her friend’s lap, her nose nuzzling that sweet clump of hair. Caroline somewhat reluctantly raised her head to reply.

“I’ll reserve judgment until I’ve seen all four seasons, if you don’t mind! It’s so lovely to be friends again after that awful time last month and any season is wonderful as long as we are together. I love you, my dear sweet Grace until my love is so strong it hurts enough to kill me. Why must I leave you one day?”

“Because you must, my darling. Ask no more questions. One day you will know.”

Caroline seemed to accept this reply and said no more for some minutes. Then she spoke.

“I hope we don’t have to go indoors to sleep forever, Grace. I love it sleeping under these wise old trees.”

Grace laughed into Caroline’s light brown hair, kissing her silky locks as she did so.

“You’ll know when the time comes! Even I have never yet managed a complete twelvemonth under the open sky - alas! And what do you think you have been chopping up all those logs for - exercise?”

“Can we have at least one night out in the snow under this tree - at least try to see if we can do it - just one night, Grace?”

“I fear I’ve made rather too zealous a convert my love! Never mind - be it as you wish!”

“The spirits of the wood will keep us safe, Grace. I trust them totally!”

“For the first time, I almost dread the winter, my darling Caroline - but I can’t wait for that night to come, nevertheless!”

Engelbart listened with horror to this conversation. Was there no way he could make these foolish people see the error of their ways? He only hoped they left the house open for him to use on the night in question. Otherwise, he would seek his feline fortune elsewhere!

Having decided on their night in the snow - always supposing it did snow during the coming winter - they resumed the still demanding daily round of tasks. Caroline spent another couple of hours chopping up firewood, pausing a couple of times to wipe the sweat off her brow as well as some blood caused by a splinter that had flown up into her face.

She was beginning to collect quite a nice little lot of cuts and scratches to adorn her young body, she reflected. No longer was she just a well brought up, pretty ornament of a girl, but a proper mature human being, working and suffering in order to stay alive and keep the land she owned in good heart. Engelbart sat watching from a safe distance. He knew exactly for what purpose the firewood was being prepared and at the thought of a lovely roaring fire to lie in front of in the coming winter months, he began to purr contentedly.