The Strange Tale of the Snake Ring by John Holroyd Read Free Book Online

spirits up,” she said to Wilhelm, kissing his cold cheek. “I shall be back with help soon.” She mounted the horse and Wilhelm heard hoofbeats dying away in the distance.
    A very long time seemed to pass before Wilhelm heard sounds of horses approaching. Gertrud had gone to the convent for help. When the prioress heard what had happened, she sent two of the lay brothers with a horse and a flat four-wheeled cart to take Wilhelm to the infirmary at the convent. There he would be cared for.
    The brothers piled hay on their cart to make a soft bed. They tied Wilhelm’s broken leg with two stout pieces of wood to prevent the broken bones from moving. Then they lifted him gently on to the cart, and set off to the convent.
    Soon Wilhelm was in one of the beds in the infirmary, where he was made as comfortable as possible. The apothecary had made up a soothing herbal drink that would help to dull the pain, and one of the nuns helped him to sip this.
    The prioress drew Gertrud aside, and spoke seriously to her:
    â€œYour husband is of an age when a broken leg is a danger to life. We will try our best to make him well again, but we cannot be sure that he will recover. If he does, it will take a long time.”
    Wilhelm had been a strong, healthy man all his life. Also, he was determined to be back on the farm. So the nuns were amazed at his progress. Within a few weeks he was well enough to return home, but he could take little part in the work of the farm. He could only hobble about with the help of two sticks. Gertrud thought with dismay that he looked years older since his accident, although of course she did not tell him so.
    During all this time, the work of the farm had to go on. Fortunately it was not a very busy time of the year, but the work on a farm is never done. Gerda, Robert and Gertrud had been working even harder than usual.
    Now Wilhelm was back home, they hoped that he would gradually be able to take his share of the work. But weeks went by, and he showed little sign of improvement.
    One evening after supper, they were all sitting quietly in the big farmhouse kitchen. Wilhelm had been very quiet throughout the meal. Suddenly he spoke.
    â€œSomething must be done,” he said, firmly.
    No one spoke, as they could see that something very serious was afoot, so Robert, Gerda and Gertrud listened quietly to what Wilhelm had to say.
    â€œI have come to realise that my days as a farmer are over,” said Wilhelm sadly. “I can no longer do a day’s work. Gertrud is wearing herself out looking after me and trying to help with the farm work at the same time. So something must be done.”
    Wilhelm paused. “Put another log on the fire, Gerda, and I will tell you what I have in mind.”
    When Gerda had made up the log fire, Wilhelm made himself as comfortable as he could in his chair, and continued:
    â€œYou all know that by the coppice in the south field there is a small cottage, that no-one has lived in since my old father died, years ago. I shall have this cottage made ready, and then Gertrud and I will live there. We shall grow a few vegetables and herbs, and keep a few chickens and geese; and there we will end our days in peace.”
    Gerda felt a tear trickling down her cheek at the thought of Wilhelm and Gertrud leaving the farmhouse.
    â€œDo not cry, Gerda,” said Wilhelm kindly, “we shall not be far away, and we are both good for many years yet.”
    Now Wilhelm turned to Robert. “You, my son, will be in charge of the farm. Gerda will keep house for you, and we will hire a man from the village, who is willing to work on the farm each day and return home at night. I have taught you all I know about the work of the farm, and I’m sure you will make a success of it.”
    â€œBut Wilhelm,” said Gerda, “what will happen when Thomas comes home?”
    Wilhelm looked at her sadly. “I do not know how to tell you this, but after such a long