Weeping, because I had never known such courage in the face of such insurmountable odds, I went inside and fetched my children.
“You’re never taking them out there!” Lise exclaimed.
“I cannot leave them here to be used against their father.”
I spoke patiently, coolly, for my cool brain had worked this out long since. They, and I, had to go, at least try to escape. Lise stared at me. So did Sigrid. From their frightened, pitying eyes, I knew they understood. And I had to turn away from that, from the monster I was and had to be, to so risk my children against the dreadful crying of my own heart.
“Get your cloak,” said Lise briskly to the nurse.
“Stay,” I said quickly. “You are safe enough, I believe, if you go to the Church. Please, Lise, I cannot have you too...”
But it seemed I coul
