Prose

A Time to Keep

Plot

Section 1: Bill and Ingi, a newlywed couple, arrive at their new croft.

Section 2: Bill works as a fisherman during winter, while Ingi waits for him at the door.

Section 3: Ingi handles various croft tasks, despite her lack of domestic skills.

Section 4: On Good Friday, Bill discovers two dead lambs, and Ingi goes to church while Bill drinks in the pub.

Section 5: Bill's skills as a fisherman and peat-cutter are highlighted, and tensions with other characters, including the Laird, escalate.

Section 6: Accusations of theft create more tension between Bill and others, especially Peter and John of Two-Waters.

Section 7: Ingi's father, Mr. Sinclair, visits and accuses Bill of neglecting Ingi and not providing enough money for her.

Section 8: Bill encounters Highland fishermen at sea, who accuse Orkney fishermen of poaching in their waters. A storm is approaching.

Section 9: Harvest time arrives, but a week of heavy rain ruins Bill's crop.

Section 10: Bill receives a loan from Mr. Sinclair with conditions, and Ingi gives birth to a baby boy. Tragically, Ingi dies during childbirth.

Section 11: Ingi is buried, and Anna of Two-Waters offers to marry Bill. Bill rejects her proposal and takes his baby son to the beach to perform an improvised christening.

Section 12: The story concludes on Christmas, hinting that Anna, Bill, and the child will form a new family.