Page 51 of The Armor of Light

The squire said: ‘But that’s no reason to attack Will.’

‘I got it into my head that Mr Will was partly responsible for the death of my husband and the terrible injury to my son. He seemed to have no pity for me and to feel that my son was not important.’

Will said: ‘Not important? Look at the puppy dog! He’s absolutely worthless – why would I shed tears for him? Of course I feel that he’s not important. These villagers have too many children anyway. One less is nothing to cry about.’

Sal tried to speak in a humble way. ‘His mother would cry, sir.’

The squire frowned at Will and looked uncomfortable. Squire Riddick was a hard man but not as malicious as his eldest son. Sal could see that Will was doing himself no good with this line of talk. He was displaying contempt for a little boy. Even his family would not respect him for that.

Sal said: ‘I’m sorry, Squire, but Kit is my only child.’

Will said: ‘And a good thing too! You can’t even look after one – he has to come here for his bed and board.’

‘Sir, all my life before and after my marriage I never asked for parish relief, not until my husband was killed.’

‘Oh, so it’s all the fault of other people, is it?’ said Will.

Sal just looked him directly in the eye and said nothing.

Her silence was eloquent enough to jerk the squire into action. ‘All right, I think the picture is clear,’ he said. ‘Unless either of you has something you feel you have to add.’

Will said: ‘She must be flogged.’

The squire nodded. ‘That is an appropriate punishment for violence against a gentleman.’

Sal said: ‘No, please!’

The squire went on: ‘However, this woman has suffered a great deal lately, through no fault of her own.’

Will said indignantly: ‘Then what will you do?’

The squire turned on him. ‘Shut your mouth, boy,’ he said, and Will flinched visibly. ‘I’m your father – do you think I’m proud of what you’ve done to a humble village family?’

Will was too shocked to answer.

The squire turned back to Sal. ‘I have some sympathy for you, Sal Clitheroe, but I cannot overlook the crime you have committed. If you remain in this village you must be flogged. But if you leave the matter will be forgotten.’

‘Leave!’ said Sal.

‘I can’t let you live here unpunished. You would always be pointed out as the woman who punched the squire’s son and got away with it.’

‘But where would I go?’

‘I don’t know and I don’t care. But if you’re not gone by sunrise tomorrow you will receive thirty-six lashes.’

‘But...’

‘Don’t say any more. You’ve got off lightly. Leave this house now, and leave Badford at first light.’

She stood up.

Will said: ‘And think yourself damned lucky.’

Sal took Kit’s hand and they went out.

*

Everyone in the village knew that Sal had knocked Will Riddick to the floor. Many of Sal’s friends were waiting for her when she came out of the manor house. Annie Mann asked her what had happened.Sal felt it would be painful to recount the story and she wanted to do so only once. She asked Annie to tell people to meet her at Brian Pikestaff’s place.