And so the weeks passed, and the child’s chances waned, until the end of the ninth week drew closer and finally just one more day stood between her and a bleak future in a poorhouse. I suppose I should have known better than to raise this case with Elinor. Or say, rather, that I should not have been surprised by the proposal that followed. “You know about the mines, Anna. You and I together shall get this dish out for the child.”
