Note the date—we've gone back in time over a year. Who knew flux capacitors were around in the 17th century?
This past winter was hard for Anna, as it was the first one she's had to deal with since Sam died.
In the spring, a man named George Viccars arrives asking for temporary lodging. He's a tailor and a really nice guy to boot.
Anna has two sons, and her older son, Jamie, loves Viccars. Whenever she comes home, she finds them horsing around.
Anna likes spending time with Viccars, too. At night, she sits enraptured as he talks about his journeys across England and his adventures in London.
Once they get to know each other better, Viccars tells Anna "tales of bawdiness and carousing" from the city (2.2.14). In other words, he tells her sex and party stories.
One night, Anna returns home to discover a fancy green dress in her room. Mr. Viccars made it for her. Subtle move.
Anne tries to refuse the gift, but Viccars demands that she try it on. So she does. And then they kiss. Kapow.
Anna stops—Viccars seems to have a fever. Viccars admits that he is feeling ill, so Anna sends him to his room (mom move) and tells him that they'll finish this conversation the next day.
Anna arrives at the rectory the next morning and greets Elinor Mompellion as Elinor works in her garden. She's the wife of the preacher man.
Elinor is 25 years old and pretty as all get-out. She's also taught Anna how to read and write, among countless other things. Commoners like Anna aren't supposed to know that stuff.
Elinor wants to teach Anna about medicinal herbs, but our girl doesn't want any of that: that's how you get branded as a witch. At least, that's what happened to Mem Gowdie and her niece Anys, both local medicine women. Luckily, the charges didn't stick.
The house is quiet when Anna returns home. Dead quiet. Anna heads upstairs and finds Viccars with "a lump the size of a newborn piglet" on the side of his head (2.2.61).
Whoa. That escalated quickly.
Anna tries to help Viccars, but she accidentally explodes the growth, sending puss all over the room. That would be funny if it wasn't so gross.