When I was well enough, the three of us went to Trenwith for the Harvest Celebration, arriving there early while they were still harvesting.  We stopped at the edge of the field when Francis noticed us and waved. Ross was apprehensive for a moment but I nudged him along, till the two cousins met in the middle and shook hands.

"Cousin. It's an unexpected pleasure." Elizabeth hugged me as Geoffrey Charles ran over to his cousin.

"Thank you for bringing him. It means the world to Francis." I gave her a small smile.

"You look well cousin." Ross kissed her hand. Francis and Elizabeth swapped places.

"Abigail, you're a welcomed sight." Francis kissed my hand

"As are you Francis." I returned the compliment. Once the harvest was finished we all gathered to watch Francis lift the last bail.

"I 'ave 'n, I 'ave 'n, I 'ave 'n" He declared

"What 'ave 'ee? What 'ave 'ee? What 'ave 'ee?" we asked

"A neck, a neck, a neck." he announced

"Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!" we clapped and Geoffrey Charles was given the last one by his father and we headed inside for the feast. I fanned myself in the uncomfortableness I now had as I conversed with some of Ross' shareholders. Francis declared the time for dancing and took Elizabeth into the middle. I then joined in not as enthusiastic as I normally was. When I had finished I found a quiet room to rest in. Though it wasn't for long as Agatha, Elizabeth and the harpy entered

"Elizabeth, where's my port?" Agatha questioned

"Lady Whitworth says the fashions in London and Bath are now verging on the indecent." Harpy commented noticing my presence but took a seat.

"What exactly does that mean?" My sister questioned as she poured out glasses of port.

"Bosoms. Acres of them exposed like capons on a plater!" Harpy exclaimed

"You look pale, child. Are you unwell?" Aunt Agatha asked me

"No. No, that is, I believe I may be sickening for something" I answer her still trying to cool myself some more, regretting leaving my bedrest earlier than requested.

"Get Elizabeth to mix you a rouge. Elizabeth goes out so seldom, she has no need for it." Agatha suggested

"It's criminal that this should be the highlight of your social calendar, Elizabeth. i know I would be driven quite mad had I only farmhands and kitchen maids to converse with." Harpy screeched on. I scoffed.

"You don't need that, I think you already qualify yourself to be put in Bedlam, Harpy. I've been trying to tell Elizabeth that for years." Agatha laughed as I rose to my feet "If you'll excuse me, i need to air." I glided out of the drawing room and outside. I pulled at my gown loosing it a little when I heard wailing and the obvious figure of Prudie.

"What? What is it?" i question her

"'Tis they body-stealers!" She weeped "They robbed me of my ole man." I brought her into my embrace.

-------

I took Prudie home and saw the empty table in which the former manservant once was. She wailed over the empty place. I took her away to where the small gathering still was

"Tis the shame of it. To 'ave an husband, an' to not 'ave an husband. I'll never live it down." she whimpered I shushed her soothingly "Then there's the burying. Ye can't have a Burying without a body."

"No."

"So not only am I' robbed of a husband. I'm robbed of the pleasure of seeing; him planted in the ground." the door swung open making us all jumped. There before us was a up and walking Jud. Purdue fainted  of the sight.

--------

We all sat around the table listening to what happened to Jud.

"So you was lying on the table..." Zack started

"And I wakes up in me winding sheet wi' a terrible thirst, dreamin of gin. So off I carts to Jake's kidney for some ale and' what happens? There all up screaming like stuck pigs, and falling over each other to get out of the door. So in I goes, drink my fill. And when I come home to Prudie, what do I find? All flagged out in fancy widow's weeds. An' folk-feasting and drinking at my expense. And nowt left but a jug of brandy and a winding' sheet" I couldn't hold it in any longer. I started laughing, like full on laughing with tears and rocking back and forth. Inconsolable with amusement

"I...I'm sorry...I just...." I couldn't get my words out." I wiped my eyes and stood up "Only you Jud. Only you could die and come back from the dead. I'm returning to Trenwith. Oh dear." I stumbled out and made my way back to Trenwith. I was giggling all the way back and couldn't wait to tell Ross about the turn of events.