A week later they came to Mona one by one with various lying excuses for leaving her. Asking no questions she pays them off and lets them go.
She has been alone for three days when the Commandant, with his kind eyes, comes to see what he can do. What if he sends some of the guard to help her?
“No, sir, no.”
“Some of the Germans, then?”
“N-o.”
“But, good gracious, girl, you can’t carry on the farm by yourself.”
“I’m strong. I’ll manage somehow, sir.”
“But sixteen cows—it’s utterly impossible—utterly!”
“Half of them are dry now and will have to go out to grass. I can attend to the rest, sir.”