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to Ursula’s fury, would say no more.
    David sank down beside Samson. “When do you think I can return to my uncle’s house?” he asked with a worried look at Bruno.
    “Stay here for now,” Bruno answered. He tried to rise again and this time managed it, although with a grimace of pain. “I’ll go and find out what is happening, but in the meantime you must stay out of sight. I don’t imagine those men will be back, but don’t let anyone else see you. We know not who is a friend and who is an enemy in this case.”
    “He’s right, David. If Mistress Elke or that busybody next door happened by and saw you, the tale would be all over town in minutes that you are still here. Run upstairs and keep out of sight. We’ll let you know when it is safe for you to go out.”
    Reluctantly, David headed for the stairs. Bruno made as if to leave, but Ursula stopped him.
    “Before you go, let me tend to that bump on your head. You gave it a fair crack, I think.”
    Bruno started to protest, but no one argued with Ursula when she had her mind made up. Back in command of herself and the situation, she pushed him down onto a straw pallet in the corner, poured out a mug of boiling water from the pot hanging over the fire, and, after consulting her healing book, threw in a handful of herbs.
    “Lavender for the pain and rue for dizziness,”she explained as it brewed. When she judged it to be ready, she handed the mug full of concoction to Bruno. He sipped and made a face. “Drink it,” Ursula commanded, “while I make a poultice for the bump. Catmint helps bruises.”
    By the time Bruno forced the drink down, Ursula had the poultice ready. A large, ugly bump was coming up on his forehead, just above the right eye. Ursula felt it gently, and then began to smooth and rub the catmint paste over it. Bruno winced but remained silent.
    Suddenly the stray cat appeared. It sidled over to Ursula and began to wind itself around her ankles more and more excitedly. Ursula laughed. “You smell the catmint, do you, you rascal? Well, have some then.” She put a small amount of the paste on the tip of one finger and rubbed it on the cat’s paw. Immediately the cat went into a frenzy of rolling, licking, and pouncing at imaginary mice. Totally ignoring Samson, who was whining indignantly in the corner while being held back with some difficulty by Master William, the little cat was soon in a delirium of delight.
    “I’ll go now,” Bruno said finally when Ursula had bound his head to her satisfaction. “Keep David out of sight and I’ll return as soon as possible.”
    No sooner had he left than Ursula heard excited voices approaching. A group of girls her own age paused by the trestle where the herbs were displayed. Ursula’s book lay open among the bowls.
    “What think you of all the commotion, Ursula?” one of them, a bright-eyed, pert girl asked. “It seems to have calmed down now and we’re off to the market place to gather news—will you come?”
    Ursula looked at them in dismay. If David should appear …
    “No, Britta,” she answered quickly. “I have no time for that. I have work to do.” Her thoughts were with David, and the words were abrupt, even rude.
    The girl’s face darkened. “Truth, I forgot. You are not like the rest of us useless things, are you? You are an
important
person.” Her voice dripped sarcasm, then her eyes fell on the book. “A
clever
person,” she went on. “A person who can
read
. Of course you don’t have time for us and our foolish talk.” She tossed her head and turned to the others. “Come away, then. Mistress Ursula has work to do.”
    Ursula bit her lip, then shrugged. She knew Britta and the other girls her age resented her and found her proud, but she really had nothing in common with them. Gossip and the pursuit of a husband was all they seemed to care about.
      *  *  *  
    It was several hours before Bruno came back, and when he did his face was pale.
    “What is it?”