The Butcher's Daughter

A young woman carrying a heavy bucket of water crossed his way. Her white apron was all covered with dark red smears and spatters of blood. Although the young woman looked quite strong with broad shoulders, she did walk rather graciously: leaning towards one side with one arm stretched out to counter the bucket’s weight. When she looked up, young Thom was reminded of the strong face, as if carved out of wood, that the butcher’s wife used to have. But he also remembered that the wife had died shortly after giving birth to a daughter. As a child this daughter always wanted to play along with the boys of the village. She had been a persistent one and had even shown to be stronger than some of the boys of her own age. She was two years younger than Thom and he mainly remembered her as a childish pest.
Apart from her apparent strength, not much of this young woman reminded him of that little girl. When they passed each other, she lowered her head and with a swift move she raised her arm and swung here braided pony from back to chest while briefly looking up from under here eyebrows. Once again young Thom tried to smile, but the woman quickly focused forward, giving him no chance. But she did blink twice, as Young Thom could see and he continued down the road with a smile on his face.

Next : The Whistle Inn