In a cart standing in the meadow by the highroad lay the widow of a beggar, Nickel; whom the peasants had hung on account of many a swindling trick.

A goose and some chickens had strayed off to his premises.

The woman had just given birth to twins when Nickel was hung, and she was now in a violent fever, with frequent attacks of convulsions, and yet had to nurse the infants.

The landlady of The Pike had sent her some broth and a little milk for the children.

As for Kuni, she had gone to carry some linen from her own scanty store to the two babies, who were as naked as little frogs.