7
The Promised Land
wife Veronika was rightly worried. There was not much she could
do. They couldn't afford a doctor but she did have a wide knowledge
of all sorts of remedies for grievous ills. Most local people made do
for themselves as they had been wont to do from time immemorial. It
wasn't surprising, as they were knowledgeable, resourceful people. No
one else would help these peasants if they didn't look after themselves.
She suspected that the problem might lie with his liver. She knew
that no matter how badly off they were there had always seemed to
be enough credit to get liquor, and frequently he also distilled it himself from
grain or potatoes in special metal containers he had got
hold of from somewhere. She had never interfered with that. She
thought that having a little hobby would do him no harm. Occasionally he
sold some of it. The odd person would arrive with an empty
wickerwork-covered stone jar complete with stopper, and leave with
it full. She never turned her nose up at the little bit of extra money
this produced. Of course it was inevitable that he would be sampling
his own concoction at every opportunity. She wondered if that was
the cause of his sickness or, if it wasn't, then perhaps it was something
to do with his diet. They did tend to eat lots of fat and puddings,
starch and suety things but this heavy diet was necessary during those
short cold days of autumn and the long winter months. Such sources
of energy were essential in that part of the world in those conditions.
She thought that perhaps in later life these foods could maybe have
an adverse effect on people who were no longer active in burning it
off. She nursed him and attended to all his needs, and brought him
hot drinks and soup, when he felt like eating. The medicine she made
from the bark of the willow helped to ease the pain and she kept him
clean and tidy, propped up in bed with pillows. If he was too weak
to get out of bed she helped him with the china chamber pot and
emptied it. Sometimes he would feel sick and she would bring him
a bowl and then clear it away afterwards. She had committed to him
years ago and she wasn't about to ease off now, just when he needed
her more than ever. Her dour competence, the way she took every-