A Tinn’s tale

antine knocked on the wall and the pastor showed up. He looked a bit surprised.

‘Father,’ she began.

‘Mass is over, you know,’ he said, slightly amused. ‘Weren’t you there too?’

‘Yes,’ she said quickly, ‘I have come to confess.’

‘Ah.. come in, then. It’s quiet now.’

‘So.’ Once inside she felt the expectant gaze of Father Jon upon her. She shrugged.

‘You wanted me to confess, you and the lord Earl. I admit everything.’

She saw on his face that it was not what he meant.

‘And I abandon the tr- the thoughts of my husband.’

The scowl on his face did not cease.

‘You have to mean it! How can you possible believe the Lord will be able to forgive you if you do not sound like you mean it!’

She did not mean it, no. In fact, she had to control herself very tightly to get the words over her lips which this man so desperately wanted to hear, and to keep the words inside which she so desperately wanted to say. She now understood Dorus’ agitation, now she herself were confronted with the authority.

‘All right! Bless me Father, for I have sinned. I abandon the thoughts of my husband and I am heartily sorry,’ she said on her most devoted tone and bowed her head so as to look even more sorry.

But he still wasn’t pleased.

‘Are you being honest?’ he asked. ‘Do you not hide any secret thoughts? Do you have the intention never to commit your sin again?’

He was coming awfully close to her thoughts. Suddenly she remembered he was a priest, and lying to him was like lying to the Lord. Still she did not trust him enough as a person, to confide him in her thoughts. She knew the Lord would understand. He sure knew this man was not always his humble messenger.

‘Yes, no.. yes!’ Jantine squeaked, ‘I mean, yes I am being honest to the Lord! Of all the villagers I and my children are very devoted to the Church! You know how my husband always was a bit too much.’

Happy now, she thought. She was doing this for her children, if she refused to, they would have a much more difficult life. He better be happy with this, because she could not bear it much longer.

But he was not happy, not at all!

‘You shall not make excuses for yourself!’ he bellowed. ‘Do not say before the messenger of God that it was an error!’

Suddenly he was beside himself with anger, it scared Jantine and she leaned backwards, but nevertheless he gripped her shoulders with his long fingers.

At this point the Earl stepped in and Jon’s interest was caught. Relieved, Jantine stepped back, away from his fingers. Jon snapped at the Earl.

‘She is in confession, milord!’

‘Then why are you shaking her as if she were a sack of turnips? I want to have a word with you, Father. Oh and.. Goodwife Chandler, you have my permission to leave now. I suggest you go enjoy the brilliant sun outside.’

Once she was safely outside and could not hear them anymore, Quinten had a word with Father Jon. He didn’t even have to say anything.

‘I do believe I’ve gone a bit too far,’ Jon admitted, ‘and I apologize for that, but I do think I scared the crap out of her. We won’t have any trouble of them anymore, I suppose.’

Quinten did one of his long stares and said nothing. After a while Jon began to chuckle.

‘I do suppose that’s all you wanted. Wasn’t it? No trouble in the village. No worries there, milord, I’ve got them all sorted out for you.’