Chapter 13: Altha

Summary

• Grace Charlotte Milburn takes the stand in a courtroom, under oath to speak the truth.
• The prosecutor questions Grace, who confirms her identity and residence at Milburn Farm with her husband John, but they have no children.
• Her husband inherited the farm, which specializes in dairy cows, and he was accustomed to their behavior.
• Grace is asked to recount the events of New Year's Day 1619: she was performing morning chores when she heard a commotion outside.
• She saw her husband and an assistant, the Kirkby lad, in the field among the cows, which did not appear agitated.
• Grace describes dropping her basin, hearing a loud noise, and then hearing the Kirkby lad screaming John's name.
• Upon going outside, she discovers the cows scattered, some with signs of distress, and her husband dead on the ground, disfigured beyond recognition.
• The courtroom reacts with sympathetic murmuring as Grace expresses her grief.
• The prosecutor inquires further, and Grace reveals Altha Weyward was seen running toward her from the trees soon after the incident.
• While it wasn't entirely unusual to see Altha out for early walks, the timing on this occasion seemed notable.
• Altha covered John's body with her cloak and instructed the Kirkby lad to fetch Dr. Smythson, then led Grace inside to wait.
• Dr. Smythson arrived and confirmed John's death without giving hope for his revival.
• Asked about her relationship with Altha, Grace reveals they were childhood friends but had grown apart after Grace's mother died from scarlatina following treatment from Altha and Jennet Weyward, Altha's mother.
• The chapter concludes with a tense courtroom atmosphere, focusing on Altha, the accused, whose relationship with Grace in their youth has evident significance to the case.