Servus stared and nodded, rather doubtfully.
Secunda turned to me. ‘Perhaps, citizen, you would be kind enough to go with h-’ She broke off as Muta came out from the barn, carrying the tray, with Modesta trailing after her and earnestly attempting to converse.
Servus took one look at them and bolted for the house, while Secunda murmured, ‘I’m sorry, citizen, to have spoken so sharply to the child — and before a guest as well — but I could hardly let Servus go into the barn. That poor creature is too nervous to say a word to me! Imagine how Fiscus would have frightened him! We should have had this water spilt all over the new hay! And what stories Fiscus could have taken to Lavinius about us!’ She paused to look at Muta, who had crossed to us by now and was making irritated signals with her hand, pointing at Modesta — who came up close to me as though for protection.
I looked down at the slave-girl and she gave a little bob. ‘I’m sorry, citizen. I don’t know why this slave-woman is so upset with me. I was only asking if there was any watered wine. Fiscus said there should be, since we were offered cups, but when I approached this slave she wouldn’t answer me.’
I shook my head and said, as gently as I could, ‘That is because she cannot speak at all. The poor thing is a mute. You must be kind to her.’ I found that I was trying to model my reply on what I thought Secunda might have said. ‘Anyway,’ I went on, ‘there isn’t any wine, not even for visiting citizens like me. But there is water, and very good it is — the slave-boy has just brought some from the well.’
Modesta gave her timid sideways smile. ‘Is that the little fellow that I saw scurrying inside?’
‘Exactly. He is very new and does not understand his duties yet. But here is the water that he brought,’ Secunda intervened, proffering the jug. ‘Now, if you have everything that you require, there are matters in my household to which I must attend. Paulina — my husband’s daughter — has been alone too long, though I think her father may be taking care of her. I will relieve him of that woman’s chore. I know he wants to go and tend his beasts again. Join us when you are ready, citizen.’ And attended by her ancient maidservant she went into the house.
Modesta watched them go, clutching the pitcher against her skinny chest. ‘What a lovely lady. Shame about her slave.’ She giggled. ‘And what a funny little page they seem to have. You would think he’d never carried water in his life.’
‘Quite possibly he hasn’t,’ I told her, with a smile. Talking to Secunda made me feel benevolent. ‘They only got him from the market yesterday. Sold by his parents to buy food, I understand.’
‘No wonder he hardly knows where to begin!’ Suddenly she creased her brow at me. ‘I wonder if they tried to sell him in Glevum market once before? I’ve got the oddest feeling that I’ve seen that boy somewhere — though for the life of me I couldn’t tell you where. Perhaps it is simply that he looks like someone else. That must be what it is! You would not forget that haircut and those knobbly white knees!’
I found that I was standing very still. ‘Who is it that the slave reminds you of?’ I said, almost fearing what she might reply. ‘It wasn’t the mistress of this house, by any chance?’ That at least, would make a kind of sense — and explain the mystery of Secunda’s past. I added, ‘I can see no such resemblance myself.’
To my relief the slave-girl only laughed. ‘That lovely lady? Not a bit of it. Someone in our household, or in Glevum, I am sure,’ she said. ‘And not my master or the lady Cyra, certainly. Perhaps the chief steward or possibly the nurse, or maybe even…,’ She broke off, laughing, ‘I don’t know why I’m bothering to tell you all of this. It’s nonsense, anyway. How could a pauper from Corinium have anything to do with my master’s slaves at home? Anyway, it was just a brief impression, I only got a glimpse.’ She glanced towards the barn. ‘But now, forgive me, citizen — I must take this water back. Fiscus will be angry and I’m more afraid of him than I’ve ever been of any of the usual stewards at my master’s house.’
‘Tell him that it’s my fault because I kept you here,’ I said, although I did not have much conviction that it would help her cause. ‘In the meantime, I should go myself and conclude my business in the house.’ I looked up at the sky. How long would it take those slaves to eat some bread and cheese? I made a calculation. ‘When the shadow of that oak tree meets that flagstone there, I shall be ready. Come and get me then. In the meantime, enjoy your little meal.’
She nodded and went hastening back into the barn, carrying the brimming pitcher on her head. There was no doubt that she was used to doing it.
I was feeling very thoughtful as I went back to the house. Muta was waiting and she let me in, and when I reached the central room I found Paulina there, scribbling a picture on a piece of slate, while Servus crouched down on a stool and watched her work.
He sprang up when he saw me and murmured, ‘Citizen!’ It was the first time that I’d heard him utter any word at all and I realized that my unspoken theory had been wrong again. This child had no impediment of speech, beyond the terror that was clearly in his eyes and which was evident by the tremor in the syllables. Like all such young pageboys he had a fluting tone, but there was no stutter and he spoke quite well.
He saw me looking and he backed away from me until he stood with his back against the wall. I wondered where he had learned that defensive strategy. I said, quite kindly, ‘Will you go and find your mistress and tell her I am here?’ He looked panicked and bewildered and he did not move. I tried again. ‘Find Secunda for me. Tell her I am here. Or Paulinus if that is easier.’ It had not occurred to me, until I said the words aloud, that I should — of course — have asked first for the master of the house.
This time he nodded and edged slowly to the door although he didn’t for a moment take his eyes from me. Meanwhile Paulina scratched away with her chunk of chalk-stone, happily oblivious to the pair of us. Once or twice she even put it in her mouth.
I did not feel that the pageboy kept a proper watch on her, certainly he hadn’t since I was in the room. I decided I would have to mention it to his mistress when she came. It was just as Modesta said about the water-jug — it was evident that Servus had a lot to learn. At the moment he had no idea at all of what was expected of a household slave.
I looked at him again. What else was it that Modesta said? That he had reminded her of someone she had seen before. And then, like a mosaic, all the little fragments settled into place. It was hardly credible. But it must be the solution. How could I find out? As he turned away to lift the latch and push open the door he had his back to me.
‘Lavinia!’ I called softly, and Servus whirled around.
‘What is it, citizen?’ And then I knew for sure.
TWENTY-FOUR
She realized immediately that she’d betrayed herself. Without another word she flung open the door and launched herself — not into the interior of the house, as she had meant, but into the arms of Secunda who was in the act of entering the room.
‘What is it little one?’ she murmured soothingly.
The child looked up at her beseechingly. ‘He knows! He’s found us out. He called me by my name.’
I saw the look of sorrow cross the lovely brow. ‘Very well. You take Paulina and go in there to play. I will deal with this. I promise faithfully no harm will come to you.’
The look the child gave her was an adoring one. Paulina was not delighted to be made to stop her scribbling on the slate, and at first she sat protesting in her silent way — kicking her feet and refusing to be dragged — but Secunda called the maid and the child was led away, still looking furious but no longer struggling. I found myself again alone with the lady of the house.