While the burgomaster was exposing Gerard at Tergou, Margaret had a trouble of her own at Sevenbergen.

It was a housewife's distress, but deeper than we can well conceive.

She came to Martin Wittenhaagen, the old soldier, with tears in her eyes.
"Martin, there's nothing in the house, and Gerard is coming, and he is so thoughtless.

He forgets to sup at home.

When he gives over work, then he runs to me straight, poor soul; and often he comes quite faint.