Mary was very good at her weaving. She designed intricate tapestries. When we discovered a hump forming, from all those days at the loom, we had her stop. We sold the loom. She was to marry soon, and we didn't want anything get in the way of her chances. We knew she would have many offers, but we wanted the best for her. She was very upset, though. She didn't see the significance of being seen as well-bred. She spent more time outside then. I watched her for signs. But I knew the sun and the earth and all good growing things would do her well. They would heal her, I told myself. After that, Mary started bringing home robins, babies, orphans everywhere. She claimed the foxes had eaten the mother. Soon our abode was a mess, there were nests and excrement everywhere, from all of these little animals. And so I did what every good housewife would do, I took them all outside, where they belonged. Joachim found them twittering about, Mary , crying in her room. he took pity on them, he did what he had to do, he brought them to the river...