Drying out one pot and moving onto the next, Joan reflected on the fact that Harvest Festival preparations were in full swing. It seemed as if everyone in the city was cooking, baking treats, decorating, planning, or helping set up. Accommodating thousands of people on the castle grounds required a good deal of work.
Although King Arthur and Queen Guinevere made it clear they’d provide food (including the traditional roast goose), drink, and entertainment, it was customary for people to bring along their own special dishes or other contributions, such as musical instruments, knucklebones, nine pins, lengths of rope for tug-of-war, and leaves, sticks, and cloth scraps for children’s masks and costumes. Those with more resources brought extra …show more content…
“Yes. So why do you behave this way?”
Pawl mumbled unintelligibly under his breath and ran his hands through his short hair. Joan waited for the inevitable eruption, but instead, Pawl slunk over to the seat in front of the work bench, sat down, and allowed his head to drop against the wooden surface.
“Can’t you just be a good pupil and do your work without inquiring about my personal business?” he asked with a sigh, speaking with his face pressed against the bench.
“Yes. After you answer my question, I’ll never bother you about it again.” She softened. “This may be difficult for you to believe, Pawl, but I actually like you and care about your well-being. As do others.”
Pawl tapped his head against the bench then sat up tall.
“I had a wife,” he explained, “and she died. She’s been dead for twenty years and I still miss her. I’m sure that makes me foolish or weak in everyone’s eyes. I can’t move on and I have never been interested in or touched another woman since her death. I act angry so no one gets close to me and learns the truth and I drink to forget. Is that what you wanted to hear?”
Joan paused for a long moment before answering. “I’m so sorry for you, Pawl. Would you tell me how she
Although King Arthur and Queen Guinevere made it clear they’d provide food (including the traditional roast goose), drink, and entertainment, it was customary for people to bring along their own special dishes or other contributions, such as musical instruments, knucklebones, nine pins, lengths of rope for tug-of-war, and leaves, sticks, and cloth scraps for children’s masks and costumes. Those with more resources brought extra …show more content…
“Yes. So why do you behave this way?”
Pawl mumbled unintelligibly under his breath and ran his hands through his short hair. Joan waited for the inevitable eruption, but instead, Pawl slunk over to the seat in front of the work bench, sat down, and allowed his head to drop against the wooden surface.
“Can’t you just be a good pupil and do your work without inquiring about my personal business?” he asked with a sigh, speaking with his face pressed against the bench.
“Yes. After you answer my question, I’ll never bother you about it again.” She softened. “This may be difficult for you to believe, Pawl, but I actually like you and care about your well-being. As do others.”
Pawl tapped his head against the bench then sat up tall.
“I had a wife,” he explained, “and she died. She’s been dead for twenty years and I still miss her. I’m sure that makes me foolish or weak in everyone’s eyes. I can’t move on and I have never been interested in or touched another woman since her death. I act angry so no one gets close to me and learns the truth and I drink to forget. Is that what you wanted to hear?”
Joan paused for a long moment before answering. “I’m so sorry for you, Pawl. Would you tell me how she