It was not likely that any of the farmers' wives
would accept the position, because a farmer who owned land, would
certainly prefer to keep his wife and children with him.
"But supposing they married a girl to a farm labourer?"
"It would mean a delay of nine months."
"But supposing they found a husband for a girl who had a baby?"
"That wasn't a bad idea!"
The Baron knew a girl who had a baby just three months old. He knew
her only too well, for he had been engaged for three years and had
been unfaithful to his fiancee by "doctor's orders." He went to her
himself and made his suggestion. She should have a farm of her own if
she would consent to marry Anders, a farm labourer, and come to the
Manor as foster mother to the young Baron. Well, was it strange that
she should accept the proffered settlement in preference to her bearing
her disgrace alone? It was arranged there and then that on the following
Sunday the banns should be read for the first, second and third time,
and that Anders should go home to his own village for two months.
The Baron looked at her baby with a strange feeling of envy. He was a
big, strong boy. He was not beautiful, but he looked like a guarantee
of many generations to come.
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