“Why don’t you get married again?” asked Toli.

Yeseph suddenly looked flustered. “Who has been talking to you?”

“No one. I merely wondered.”

“Well, it is true nonetheless. That is what I wanted to tell you. I am to be married. I am announcing the banns tonight.”

“Congratulations!” shouted Quentin, jumping to his feet. He crossed the distance between himself and his former teacher in one bound and embraced him, kissing both cheeks.

“Who is the lucky bride?”

“It is Karyll, the cloth-maker.”

“The widow of Lendoe, who was killed in the accident at the forge some years ago.”

“Yes, the same. A fine woman. She has been lonely for so long…”

Quentin laughed. “You need not explain to us; you have our permission already. I am sure you will both be very happy together.”

“Yes, we shall. I am very happy now-sharing this news with my friends. You know I have come to regard you both as my own sons.”

“Certainly, you have been both teacher and father to us more times than we can remember.”

“So it is fitting that you are the first to know.”

“Will the honored woman be here tonight? I would wish to congratulate her as well.”

“She will be here-if that is not her voice I hear even now.”

The sound of light voices lifted in laughter came to the courtyard from the street beyond. Yeseph dashed to the gate once more and welcomed his bride and her two companions. Blushing and smiling, he led her toward Quentin and Toli, who stood grinning.

“My friends, this is my betrothed, Karyll.”

The short, round-faced woman smiled warmly back at them. Her hair was bound demurely at her neck in an ornamented netting, and among the brown Quentin could see streaks of silver. She was dressed in a plain white, loose-fitting gown with a bright blue shawl over her shoulders. She was a handsome woman.