The White Horse Inn, Act III

[Bêthberry]

Ruthven spoke up for Giedd.

"It's a fair life and not much different from that of many other women here. I'll tell you, Giedd, that I've heard from the mothers of the bairns you watch for that they are thankful for your services. It takes a village to raise young 'uns these days."

Giedd looked up at the rag lady, sitting nearby with Bethberry. She blushed at the woman's words.

Then the old woman turned to Garreth. "You're mighty interested in the lady, lad. Are you not much aware of how the town runs itself, of how the womenfolk organise their lives?" Ruthven knew she was cutting Eodwine off from a chance to speak more, but she thought he might in fact relish a little competition for the woman's attention, given the look she saw in his eye. She nudged Bethberry, who pretended to look away and, doing so, saw something out the window, through the stable door.