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Updated: August 31, 2025
Barbro had been in the village as a child; she knew all the village folk from the days when she had played there, gone to school there, kissed the lads there, and joined in many games with stones and shells. Bearable enough for a month or so. But then Fru Heyerdahl had begun to be even more careful about her, and when the Christmas festivities began, she was strict.
"But," said Fru Heyerdahl, "if this is the terrible fate that is meted out to the guilty or, let us say, the more clearly guilty unmarried mother who has killed her child, what of the innocent one who is merely suspected of the crime, and has not committed it? What reparation does society offer to her? None at all!
And what harm could it do, after all, if he kept it for himself? give it away, and he would be so much poorer. And 'twas a fine beast, anyway. "H'm, Goddag. Nay," said Axel, shaking his head; he'd no meat with him today. But Fru Heyerdahl seemed to be guessing his thoughts, for she said: "I've heard you've an ox, or what?" "Ay, so I have," said Axel. "Are you going to keep it?"
And Fru Heyerdahl stepped down. Says the justice then: "But I think you said a moment ago that the best nurses were those who had killed their children?" Oh, but the justice was not of a mind to go against Fru Heyerdahl, not in the least he was as humane as could be himself, a man as gentle as a priest.
"I've no time to stand talking now," he said. "Going back tomorrow, are you? Good. Good-bye, then, and good luck to you." And Geissler strolled off across the street. On the boat going home, Axel encountered the Lensmand and his wife, Barbro and the two girls called as witnesses. "Well," said Fru Heyerdahl, "aren't you glad it turned out so well?"
And then she said something which showed that she was reasoned after her fashion ho, was sharp enough, could see beyond the tip of her nose; could think, with the pitiful little brain of a savage. "If it gets found out I'll go and talk to the Lensmand; I've been in service with him. And Fru Heyerdahl, she'll put in a word for me, I know.
A big lamb, though; not a miserable little one by any means, and he delivered it with these words: "'Tis rare tough meat on a wether, and no sort of a gift to bring. But this is none so bad." But Fru Heyerdahl would not hear of taking it as a gift. "Say what you want for it," she said. Oh, a fine lady, 'twas not her way to take gifts from folk!
Axel Ström sat hoping for the best, then suddenly it seemed as if the advocate for the Crown and Fru Heyerdahl were joining forces to make things awkward for him, because he had buried the body instead of notifying the death. He was cross-examined somewhat sharply on this point, and would likely enough have come out badly if he had not all at once caught sight of Geissler sitting in the court.
As long as society maintains its present attitude, an unmarried mother should be counted guiltless even if she does kill her child." Here a slight murmur was heard from the presiding justice. "Or at any rate, her punishment should be merely nominal," said Fru Heyerdahl.
It had been bearable at first, Fru Heyerdahl looking after her kindly, giving her aprons and neat things to wear; 'twas a joy to be sent on errands to the store with such fine clothes to wear.
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