Page 212 of Circle of Days
“But who’s going to organize all that?” said Duff.
“We are.”
They divided up the mothers and each took a third. But that did not work well. Pia’s first call was on Rua, whom she found forking leafy fodder into a manger for her cows. “I bring bad news, Rua, I’m sorry.”
Rua put down her wooden pitchfork. “He’s dead, isn’t he?” she said immediately. Tears came to her eyes but she did not sob.
“Yes,” said Pia. “Our men lost the battle and they’re all dead.”
Anger overcame Rua’s grief. “Thanks to that pigheaded fool Troon.”
“At least you’ve got Eron to help you.”
Rua nodded. “He’ll have to be the man now.”
“Your neighbor Liss hasn’t got anyone, now that Jax is dead.”
“Poor soul.”
“Would you let Eron work for her a couple of days a week? It would make a big difference to her.”
“I don’t know…”
“We’re asking all the women with half-grown children to help out in this way.”
“Was it your idea?”
“Yes, why?”
“What does Duff say about it?”
“He’s in favor.”
“Hmm. Let me think about it.”
Pia hesitated. “I was hoping you’d agree right away. Surely you want to help your neighbor?”
Rua was miffed. “I’ve said I’ll think about it.”
Pia gave in. “Well, thank you for that.” She took her leave.
She met up with Duff and Yana at midday. They sat in the sunshine eating goat cheese. “How did you get on?” Pia said to Duff.
“Fine,” he said. “They all agreed right away.”
“And you, Mother?”
Yana said: “Not so well. Most of them said maybe.”
Pia said: “And did they ask you whether Duff had agreed to the scheme?”
“Yes.”
“Mine did the same: prevaricated, and asked about Duff. I was afraid of this. They won’t follow the lead of a woman.”
Yana nodded. “I’m sure that’s what it is.”
Duff said: “But that’s crazy! They’ve been complaining for years about stupid men telling them what to do. Now Troon’s gone and they’ve got a chance to run their own lives, they insist on male authority.”
