her, and her face wet from tears, she called out to her mother for help, and then she screamed, “SAM! WHERE ARE YOU?”
With her energy depleted, both physically and emotionally, she remained motionless on the dirt floor–quiet, desperate and alone.
The Sunday Social
The social gathering after Sunday meeting was held at the house of Widow Baker, a tragedy for Maria but a social coup for the widow. Of modest means, the Widow’s house was simple, yet large enough to accommodate the men and women who wanted to meet socially and hear about the activities of their neighbors. As some of the ladies gathered in the corner by the sideboard, the Widow Baker came over to them and spoke, “I am so glad to see all of you here at my house.” She sat down and folded her hands against her black skirts. Smugly she smiled. “I have some interesting news, but I am not sure I should be telling you.”
Mrs. Eldridge leaned closer. “What is it?”
Mrs. Paine urged her on, “Yes dear, you must tell us.” She took a large bite from her sweet bread.
Reaching for her teacup, Widow Baker took a sip, clinked her cup back onto its saucer and continued with pursed lips, “Well, if you insist. I was passing by the Hallett house the other day and thought I would stop in to see how the girl, Maria, was doing.”
With her mouth full, Mrs. Paine sputtered, “Go on. Go on.”
The widow paused in mid sip. “When she opened the door to me, I knew immediately something was wrong.”
Mrs. Eldridge leaned in so close that she almost fell from her seat.
The Widow Baker continued, “After a few impolite words from the young girl, I could see that there was something different about her.”
The women stopped eating and grew quiet.
She whispered to them, “I do believe she is with child!”
A collective gasp echoed from the small group of women.
“What?” Mrs. Eldridge yelped.
“I said, ‘I think she is with child!’ ”
The women all leaned back in their chairs, resumed their nibbling, and shook their heads back and forth in disapproval.
Reverend Treat noticed the commotion coming from the corner and walked over to them. “Well, how are we today, good women?”
Mrs. Eldridge spoke, “Fine.... Thank You Reverend.” She snatched up her piece of the bread.
Mrs. Stone set down her teacup and braced herself to share the news. “You see, my dear Reverend, the Widow Baker was telling us that she thinks the girl, Maria Hallett, might be…” she empathized her words with a bravado, “…with child.”
Reverend Treat responded slowly, “I see….” He furrowed his brow. The Widow Baker was quick to finish her news. “I saw her, months back, walking with a stranger. And my hired hand said he saw the same man at the tavern, talking of finding treasure. Well, what would you expect? The poor girl has no mother and her father is, you know....”
Reverend Treat interrupted her. He was not going to tolerate the sin of gossip. “Ladies, please let us not pass judgment on the girl. Until evidence is brought before the church, we must not make assumptions. Should such evidence of sin become apparent, then the proper punishment will be administered. Now, let us continue with our repast and enjoy our afternoon.”
The ladies were silent as the reverend walked away to join the other men. Whispers of ‘whore’ and ‘shun’ were soon floating into the air from the women’s little circle amidst the clanging of teacups against saucers.
19
October 1715
EASTHAM – CAPE COD
MARIA WAS TOO AFRAID TO LEAVE THE HOUSE after the Widow Baker’s visit. The prying eyes and judgmental behavior of the church’s good ladies were unbearable for her. Over the past month of Maria’s self-inflicted seclusion, she was miserable. She did her chores as well as her swollen body would allow her to do but it was never enough for her father. Oblivious to her physical limitations of carrying a child, he demanded food and labor from her
With her energy depleted, both physically and emotionally, she remained motionless on the dirt floor–quiet, desperate and alone.
The Sunday Social
The social gathering after Sunday meeting was held at the house of Widow Baker, a tragedy for Maria but a social coup for the widow. Of modest means, the Widow’s house was simple, yet large enough to accommodate the men and women who wanted to meet socially and hear about the activities of their neighbors. As some of the ladies gathered in the corner by the sideboard, the Widow Baker came over to them and spoke, “I am so glad to see all of you here at my house.” She sat down and folded her hands against her black skirts. Smugly she smiled. “I have some interesting news, but I am not sure I should be telling you.”
Mrs. Eldridge leaned closer. “What is it?”
Mrs. Paine urged her on, “Yes dear, you must tell us.” She took a large bite from her sweet bread.
Reaching for her teacup, Widow Baker took a sip, clinked her cup back onto its saucer and continued with pursed lips, “Well, if you insist. I was passing by the Hallett house the other day and thought I would stop in to see how the girl, Maria, was doing.”
With her mouth full, Mrs. Paine sputtered, “Go on. Go on.”
The widow paused in mid sip. “When she opened the door to me, I knew immediately something was wrong.”
Mrs. Eldridge leaned in so close that she almost fell from her seat.
The Widow Baker continued, “After a few impolite words from the young girl, I could see that there was something different about her.”
The women stopped eating and grew quiet.
She whispered to them, “I do believe she is with child!”
A collective gasp echoed from the small group of women.
“What?” Mrs. Eldridge yelped.
“I said, ‘I think she is with child!’ ”
The women all leaned back in their chairs, resumed their nibbling, and shook their heads back and forth in disapproval.
Reverend Treat noticed the commotion coming from the corner and walked over to them. “Well, how are we today, good women?”
Mrs. Eldridge spoke, “Fine.... Thank You Reverend.” She snatched up her piece of the bread.
Mrs. Stone set down her teacup and braced herself to share the news. “You see, my dear Reverend, the Widow Baker was telling us that she thinks the girl, Maria Hallett, might be…” she empathized her words with a bravado, “…with child.”
Reverend Treat responded slowly, “I see….” He furrowed his brow. The Widow Baker was quick to finish her news. “I saw her, months back, walking with a stranger. And my hired hand said he saw the same man at the tavern, talking of finding treasure. Well, what would you expect? The poor girl has no mother and her father is, you know....”
Reverend Treat interrupted her. He was not going to tolerate the sin of gossip. “Ladies, please let us not pass judgment on the girl. Until evidence is brought before the church, we must not make assumptions. Should such evidence of sin become apparent, then the proper punishment will be administered. Now, let us continue with our repast and enjoy our afternoon.”
The ladies were silent as the reverend walked away to join the other men. Whispers of ‘whore’ and ‘shun’ were soon floating into the air from the women’s little circle amidst the clanging of teacups against saucers.
19
October 1715
EASTHAM – CAPE COD
MARIA WAS TOO AFRAID TO LEAVE THE HOUSE after the Widow Baker’s visit. The prying eyes and judgmental behavior of the church’s good ladies were unbearable for her. Over the past month of Maria’s self-inflicted seclusion, she was miserable. She did her chores as well as her swollen body would allow her to do but it was never enough for her father. Oblivious to her physical limitations of carrying a child, he demanded food and labor from her
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