with no relenting. On one exceptionally cold morning, gentle puffs of steam billowed from Maria’s mouth into the chilly bedroom air as she lay under the coarse, prickly blankets, not wanting to get up. Approaching her seventh month with child, her body temperature usually kept her warm during the frosty mornings of late October, but not today. She finally rose from her nest, dragging her bedcover like a large cape behind her.
Grabbing the long iron stick from its hook in the kitchen hearth, she poked at the fire’s embers and waited until a spark ignited, then fed it some kinder and a log. Maria walked back to bed and lay down. Her eyes closed, she stroked her large belly, moving her hands in circles over her bloated stomach. She felt the need to relieve herself and groaned in irritation. This bothersome task plagued her morning, noon and night and usually she accepted it. Today she felt annoyed. Pulling herself from her bed once more, she squatted on the necessary jar. As she reached for a clean shift, she heard her father stir. Worried that he would notice her condition, she dressed quickly, then went into the kitchen to begin her day.
Her father was as ornery as ever. He’d continued drinking his liquors, rendering him irrational in his demeanor. During the day he remained in the barn, tanning hides that he’d caught himself, or from others who’d brought skins to him. Maria took note that his longtime customers were keeping their distance. His reputation as a craftsman, who could make superb vellum and soft leather, was slowly being replaced with an image of unreliability and the village buffoon. He seemed to Maria as a man who cared little for anything, except his drink. He never even noticed the physical changes in his own daughter’s body.
Supplies were low in the pantry and today Maria barely had enough flour to make breakfast. The low staples meant that she must face the scrutiny of her neighbors. She hoped to wait one more day before having to enter town. Perhaps she could stretch her supplies if she didn’t eat as much, then she could save her portion for her father and stay home.
Old man Hallett finished his morning biscuits and pushed his empty plate away. He ordered, “You need to deliver my hides to Mr. Eldridge today.”
Maria had forgotten that she had to go into town for him. More frightening than facing the wrath of her father was the possibility of meeting church ladies with their scornful glances aimed at her and her ‘sinful’ condition. She did not want to go. She grew defiant. “I’m sorry Father. I simply can’t go today, I must finish my cloth. You said you needed my weaving money for your debt.”
Hallett knew she was right. His debt required more money than he had. Reaching for his jacket he spoke, “Mind your chores today, girl. I expect you to finish that cloth. I’ll be back late.”
“Fine,” Maria answered, pleased with herself for the rare time that she got her way. She watched him close the door, then moved to the small window, where she saw him enter the barn. Let him make the delivery, she thought. He’d get his money, get drunk and not return till late.
Within minutes, he had the bundle of hides under his arm and was walking into town.
Maria rubbed her belly in soothing circles. In her isolation, she had become accustomed to talking to her unborn child. She spoke in a soft voice. “At least we’ll have the day to ourselves. Now what song would you like me to sing to you?”
20
Tuesday Morning – October 29, 1715
EASTHAM – CAPE COD
THOMAS HALLETT EAGERLY ANTICIPATED his payment as he walked to the house of Jacob Eldridge. He had hoped that Jacob’s wife, Mrs. Eldridge, was not at home so he could drop off the tanned leather, get his money, and leave quickly. He knocked on the door.
A shrill voice called from inside the house, “Helloooo, just a minute!”
He cursed under his breath at the whiney sound of the irritating Mrs. Eldridge. The
Grabbing the long iron stick from its hook in the kitchen hearth, she poked at the fire’s embers and waited until a spark ignited, then fed it some kinder and a log. Maria walked back to bed and lay down. Her eyes closed, she stroked her large belly, moving her hands in circles over her bloated stomach. She felt the need to relieve herself and groaned in irritation. This bothersome task plagued her morning, noon and night and usually she accepted it. Today she felt annoyed. Pulling herself from her bed once more, she squatted on the necessary jar. As she reached for a clean shift, she heard her father stir. Worried that he would notice her condition, she dressed quickly, then went into the kitchen to begin her day.
Her father was as ornery as ever. He’d continued drinking his liquors, rendering him irrational in his demeanor. During the day he remained in the barn, tanning hides that he’d caught himself, or from others who’d brought skins to him. Maria took note that his longtime customers were keeping their distance. His reputation as a craftsman, who could make superb vellum and soft leather, was slowly being replaced with an image of unreliability and the village buffoon. He seemed to Maria as a man who cared little for anything, except his drink. He never even noticed the physical changes in his own daughter’s body.
Supplies were low in the pantry and today Maria barely had enough flour to make breakfast. The low staples meant that she must face the scrutiny of her neighbors. She hoped to wait one more day before having to enter town. Perhaps she could stretch her supplies if she didn’t eat as much, then she could save her portion for her father and stay home.
Old man Hallett finished his morning biscuits and pushed his empty plate away. He ordered, “You need to deliver my hides to Mr. Eldridge today.”
Maria had forgotten that she had to go into town for him. More frightening than facing the wrath of her father was the possibility of meeting church ladies with their scornful glances aimed at her and her ‘sinful’ condition. She did not want to go. She grew defiant. “I’m sorry Father. I simply can’t go today, I must finish my cloth. You said you needed my weaving money for your debt.”
Hallett knew she was right. His debt required more money than he had. Reaching for his jacket he spoke, “Mind your chores today, girl. I expect you to finish that cloth. I’ll be back late.”
“Fine,” Maria answered, pleased with herself for the rare time that she got her way. She watched him close the door, then moved to the small window, where she saw him enter the barn. Let him make the delivery, she thought. He’d get his money, get drunk and not return till late.
Within minutes, he had the bundle of hides under his arm and was walking into town.
Maria rubbed her belly in soothing circles. In her isolation, she had become accustomed to talking to her unborn child. She spoke in a soft voice. “At least we’ll have the day to ourselves. Now what song would you like me to sing to you?”
20
Tuesday Morning – October 29, 1715
EASTHAM – CAPE COD
THOMAS HALLETT EAGERLY ANTICIPATED his payment as he walked to the house of Jacob Eldridge. He had hoped that Jacob’s wife, Mrs. Eldridge, was not at home so he could drop off the tanned leather, get his money, and leave quickly. He knocked on the door.
A shrill voice called from inside the house, “Helloooo, just a minute!”
He cursed under his breath at the whiney sound of the irritating Mrs. Eldridge. The
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