Youll give me your daughter, and Ill keep my mouth shut, Ian said.
– Im sorry, I didnt see it, be a decent man, Zach, dont ruin everything
– What am I to you, Zach? Have you forgotten how to address me? To you I am Ian Fletcher.
– Have mercy, dont take this to court
Ian rose, straightened his back, pulled his shoulders so wide the shirt on his chest rustled. A fierce fire flared in his dark eyes, scorching the trembling Zachary, whose shoulders drooped with fear.
Zachary had run the work crew for years, but Ian had only become chairman a year ago. At first people doubted himhe was only twentyfive, still too young. Yet the district officers, seeing his grip on farm affairs, his zeal and common sense, gave him their blessing.
– Youre a thief, Zachary Archibald, Ian said, his voice ringing with metallic notes. When the chairman speaks, you cannot turn away; he will bend you with the authority granted to him.
– The wheat stacks vanished, the chairman continued. It was spring, you think Ive forgotten? Ill take you to court!
– How could I Ive worked the fields honestly I swear I didnt take anything. Ian, perhaps we can reach an agreementmy wife wont survive this, and I have children
– Children, you say? Ian thought. You want a deal? You wish Id protect you but whats in it for me? If I shield you, there must be a price.
Zachary strained, watching the chairman, feeling that perhaps he could be swayed, since they had both grown up on the same soil.
– And Emily, your lovely girlbeautiful as a summer rosewhat if I were to marry her? Id take her as my wife, would you not?
Zachary went pale. Think, Ian, shes still a child.
– A child, you say? I saw her on the farm just yesterdayshes of marrying age.
– Shes only just turned seventeen, still a girl, still being looked after
– Shes already old enough to tend a child! Heres my condition: you give me your daughter, and Ill keep quiet about your mistake. If you refuse, Ill inform the district officers and youll end up in court. So choose wiselyhand over your girl or go on baking biscuits, and youll never see your family again.
Zachary fell to his knees. What do you demand? This is an impossible burden! How could I force my daughter into such a marriage? Am I a monster?
Ian returned to his desk, sat down, and pulled out a sheet of paper. Then well record it: Zachary Whitfield defied authority, meddled with the communitys good
– Wait, dont write, Zachary whispered, Ill speak with my daughter today.
– Do it. Shes already stubborn enough to argue with you, you say shes a child.
– Well, youre the one who took hershe was scared.
– If your soul can still be swayed, Ian said with a grin.
Zachary sighed heavily. If only my soul
Later Zachary returned home, collapsed onto the bench, and began pulling off his boots.
– Whats wrong? Mary asked, his wife.
On the table sat a pot of stew with potatoes, and fresh bread baked in the oven filled the cottage with a warm scent. Why the gloom?
– Emily! he called. Shes just stepped out of the bedroom, her braid not yet finished.
– What, Father?
He looked at her. Our chairman has taken a fancy to her he says he wants to marry her.
Emilys lips trembled, her hands twisted her tangled braids, and she stood like a sapling in a wind, shaking at his words: Why would I marry him? I dont want this.
Mary dropped her cup and, gasping, sat on a stool.
Zachary inhaled heavily. I know you dont want it, and I dont either. Its too early for you what can we do?
– Father, why are you doing this to me?
– Zachary, who thought a girl should be dragged into the council by force? Were not living in the old days.
– It was the chairman who thought that, and now hes looking for a way to get us all in trouble.
– Just refuse, and thatll be that, Mary suggested.
– Father, I wont go to him; hes cruel, everyone fears him.
Their younger son, Tom, leaning against the stove, listened intently.
– Im sorry, I messed up, I didnt watch the wheat stacks in the spring
– Oh, father, theyll lock you up
– Ian promised to lock me up he says Ive broken his trust.
– What does he gain by trying to take Emily? Hell end up with me too
– Exactly, Zachary replied, Id rather have a son-inlaw I can live with than a tyrant.
– Dad, complain if you like, twelveyearold Tom interjected.
– Silence. Ill manage without your advice, Zachary snapped. If I speak up, Ill be the one who gets the bootwho will listen to me? Hes still the chairman, even if hes green.
– Father, Im scared of him, Emily sobbed.
Zachary looked at his daughter, then at his wife, sighed, and began to gather his things.
– Where are you going? Mary asked.
– Pack, my dear, a clean shirt, and bring the biscuits Ill go to Ian tomorrow morning, let him take me, but I wont hand over my daughter.
Mary rushed to him, embraced him, and whispered. Emily retreated to the bedroom and sat on the made bed, listening to her mothers cries and her fathers sighs. She hadnt noticed anyone else; shed been out with friends all day. Her friend, Faye, a year older, was the only one she trusted. The chairmanshe had never even thought of himseemed a distant, stern figure, always shouting, demanding, and judging.
Emily felt pity for herself, for she hadnt even looked around before a forced marriage was proposed, and the thought of a bitter Ian made her shiver. She also felt sorry for her father, who might soon be gone forever. She started braiding her hair, tugging at it with frustration, but anger and desperation rose instead of pain. She returned to her parents, took the satchel from her fathers hands.
– I wont go anywhere, Father, she said, for the first time as an adult, calling him Father rather than Dad.
– If youd agreed, I wouldnt have this weight on my chest, Zachary said, striking his own chest, youd have a lighter life. Youll have a hard time with him better I serve my time, so you can live without tears.
– Father! Emily clutched him. Dont go! Hell imprison us, and the whole village will turn against usmy sister, my brother Tom, even Aunt Antonia will suffer.
Zachary slumped onto the chest at the door, which also served as a bench. I know, Antonia will be blamed too. The shame will fall on the whole family, saying Zachary Whitfield stole the wheat
– Tell him tomorrow Ill agree, let the matchmakers go ahead, Emily begged.
Mary gathered the packed items and set them by the stove, wiping her eyes as she set the table.
That night Zachary and Mary lay awake for hours, talking, turning, sighing heavily. From the next room Emilys sobs could be heard.
– No, Mary, shes terrified of him, a marriage would be a burden, especially now. Youll see: early in the morning fetch my satchel, Ill go to the yard, then to Ian, let him do what he wants, but I wont hand my daughter over.
Mary, hearing this, clung to her husband: Zachary, as you say, well manage without you
At dawn they rose, careful not to wake the children. While they worked in the yard, Tom slipped out the gate unnoticed. By the time they looked up, the sun was high.
– Wheres our little one? Zachary asked.
– I think he ran off to school, Emily replied, I havent seen him since morning.
– Hell come back. Ill stay a bit longer at home
– Zachary, stay home till lunch, the new clerk wont be a threat, Mary said, still hoping the danger would pass.
Zachary thought, Why rush to prison?
Meanwhile Tom rode a cart with Uncle Matthew, heading for the district centre.
– Tom, why do you need to go to the centre? Matthew asked.
– I have a school assignmentcollect the certificates, Tom replied, inventing a story.
Matthew urged the horse onward, rattling the barrels as they entered the town.
Tom leapt from the cart, thanked the clerk, and ran to the district office. The first secretary, Mr. Greene, a sturdy, terse man in his midforties, arrived. Tom, believing he could find help, blurted out his tale.
– What do you want, lad? the secretary asked, surprised.
– I need to see Alex Mitchell.
– Why?
– I have business.
– No children here.
Then Mr. Greene stepped forward. Tom, flustered, babbled, confusing the clerk.
– Hold on, thats impossible. Youre slandering the chairman, the secretary said after hearing the boys story.
– Thats pure pioneer spirit! My sister and mother are yelling, my uncle is heading to prison, and he didnt take the wheat stacks, I swear
– How do you know?
– I know! Its all Ian Fletchers doing, trying to take Emily for a wife she refuses.
– Alright, I was just coming by today wait by the doorway until Mr. Vasily brings the carriage.
Back at the village, the secretary inspected the council house. Ian Fletcher, issuing orders, touring the fields, reprimanding the lazy tractor driver, Petty. Seeing Mr. Greene, everyone fell silent. Ian straightened and prepared to report on the days business.
Tom lingered near the council, peering through the windows. He rarely complained, even when wronged, but now he felt pity for his father, wondering why he might end up in prison when his father was honest.
– Tell us, how do you govern here? Mr. Greene asked.
– Alex Mitchell, everything as usual, we try
– I see youre trying, but your wheat was taken in spring, and you only raise a storm now. Why stay silent before? Wait for a convenient moment? And why are you sure my foreman Zachary is guilty? Because his daughter refused you, so you resort to blackmail?
The questions battered Ian like peas in a pod. With each, his face grew paler.
– Understood. Im guilty, he confessed. It isnt proven, it wasnt Zachary, someone else took it I tried to frighten him.
– Youll answer for that, Mr. Greene said softly, his voice like a whip. I appointed you, Ill push you back youll go to court for overstepping.
Tom burst in, flinging the door wide. There there turn it on, he pointed at the radio, turn it on fast war.
Glancing at Mr. Greene, Ian switched on the receiver, and everyone heard a broadcast about war, dated 22 June 1940.
Ian, pale, said, I wont deny my guilt, but now is not the time. Dont take me to court; let me go to the front, Ill be called anyway.
Mr. Greene, stunned by the news, leaned over the table, pondering what to do with Ian Fletcher.
– The wheat is gone, Ian continued, who stole it, well never know. Im needed on the front now.
– And who will stay here? Greene asked.
– Therell be men, even Matthew, whos too old for conscription, but he could serve as chairman
– Alright, Fletcher, I have other matters. Ill think about you.
A week later, carts gathered outside the council house, villagers forming a circle. Some wept, others sang, some laughed.
– Friends, forgive my sins. Im sorry if I hurt anyone, Ian bowed, removed his satchel, and stepped into the circle. He stretched his arms, began to drum, and the crowd swirled around him.
– Ian Fletcher, your hands could have held a wife, now youll hold a rifle, muttered Matthew, now the acting chairman, with a hint of bitterness.
The Whitfield family bid farewell to their soninlaw. Antonia clung to him like a lash, refusing to let go until the command to the carts! rang out.
Hard winters, fickle springs, and grim days passed, bringing sorrowful news.
– Oh, sighed Mary, looking at her daughter, the trouble seemed to pass, yet another grief arrives. Today, the old woes fade like a dying fire in the hearth.
Four years later, Murton had lost many, gaining widows and orphans, but the spring of 45 lifted spirits as victory drew near.
Fellow farmer Frederick returned in March after a brief wound, having been called up at eighteen, now a sturdy young man, a soughtafter fiancé.
– Why do you turn away from Frederick? Mary asked grownup Emily. Where else will you find a groom? Dont shut the door now; hell court you.
– I understand, Mother, but Emily sighed, I just dont feel it.
– What feelings, Emily? Youll stay a girl forever.
A month later Ian returned. Women stared at the dusty road, noticing his empty coat sleeve. Its our Ian Fletcher! they exclaimed. He was not yet thirty, but grey hairs had already appeared, his hands scarred.
– Good day, ladies! How are you all? he asked, Wheres my mother?
– Oh, what joy shes on the farm, you should go cheer her up; todays a celebrationour sons home.
Ian quickly threw himself into work. At the first meeting, people suggested he become chairman again.
– We have a chairman, Ian said, Matthew kept the coop running through the war; shouldnt he stay?
– Stepping down? the villagers asked.
– Seems so.
He changed. No more shouting, no more pride that had haunted him before the war; the conflict had tempered his nature.
– Good to see you, Zachary Archibald, Ian greeted first, long time no see.
– Good to see you, Ian Fletcher.
– Enough of patronymics, Im younger than you now. I used to boast I thought of you through the war, regretted not asking forgiveness. So I say now: forgive me for those wheat stacks; I knew I wasnt at fault
Zachary coughed, Then you forgive me, Ian, for taking those stacks
– How so?
– Its simple. The cows needed feed, but the higher order said not to touch the stacksour reserve. I broke that order. Zachary removed his cap, clenched it, But I took nothing for myself, so Im not to blame
– Thats the story, Ian said, You fed the cows, thats all. Lets not dredge up old thingswar was long ago.
– Dad, why are you defending him? Tom asked when Zachary walked away. He was a snake, now his sting is gone.
Tom received a swift reprimand.
– You understand little! You havent lived, yet you judge. Ian fought bravely, earned two medals, not a snake.
– What, Father? Im recalling the past
– Forget it remember this: its easy to err, hard to fix. He patted his sons shoulder, Alls well, son, the wars over, well live.
The cart wheels clattered, and Emily, delighted, ran to meet them. Large milk barrels waited for transport. Ian, tying up a horse with one hand, turned. Emily, carrying a barrel, approached him. Hold on, lets do it together, he said, taking the barrel with his other hand. While he nudged the barrels, she untied the horse. Their shoulders brushed, and his hand rested gently on her shoulder.In the end, the village learned that true strength lies not in power or titles, but in the humility to forgive, the courage to stand together, and the love that binds hearts across generations.
