At the pounding from the front of her cabin, Mercy wiped her hands on her apron, leaving the loaf of bread on the table to rest.<br/><br/>"Good morrow," she answered, as she swung open the plank door, but stopped short at the stern faces of Constable Hendershot and Barrister Clemetine. She bobbed a curtsy.<br/><br/>"No need to stand on ceremony," the barrister said, pushing his way past her. "What kind of spirits to you make here? You are hereby required to hand it over and cease its production."<br/><br/>Mercy blinked her eyes and was dumbfounded but quickly regained her composure. She addressed the constable.<br/><br/>"Sirs, the only spirits that I have at the moment would be the beer Constable Hendershot ordered. It is not yet ready but I shall fetch it for you." she answered, moving smoothly through the neat as a pin room to a wooden pail that sat on a stool in a dark corner.<br/><br/>"We know you often make spirits and would warn you it is now illegal." The barrister said, glaring at the pail that the Constable now held. That little man was gulping and looking rather forlorn at the yellow,  yeasty brew.<br/><br/>Mercy nodded. How well she knew the capricious nature of these Puritans. The best course of action was simply to comply.<br/>"Yes, sir. I will remember. My main focus right now is making teas for we all know how dear real tea is and how difficult it is to come by. "<br/><br/>"You no doubt heard the commotion in the square over the death of Brother Wagner." the Barrister inquired, as he lifted the towel covering the bread and the lid of several baskets.<br/><br/>"Yes, sir, I did, "Mercy answered dutifully.<br/><br/>"You will tend to the laying out."<br/><br/>Mercy nodded once again. This task had often fallen to her and she didn't like it any better today than the last 20 times she had done it. She kept her face carefully schooled.<br/><br/>"Brothers," she said softly as they turned to go.<br/><br/>At their inquiring looks she hesitated. but plowed on.<br/><br/>"I have reason to believe the Indians might be creating mischief or a vagrant vagabond is loitering in our woods. If that is so, the women and children might not be safe."<br/><br/>"What proof do you have?" they demanded.<br/><br/>Mercy knew if she related the state that Prudence had been in last night, the girl would be the one to bear the punishment of the community. She would be branded a whore and maybe even have her face branded.<br/><br/>"In my  walks, I have seen unusual footprints. I know most of the footprints of those in the village." she answered. "A thin bit of evidence, I know, but perhaps you could just remind the men to be vigilant."<br/><br/>"Now, see here, " the Constable said sternly even though he looked rather silly clutching the pail of beer. "You do not deem to tell men their business. We are aware of the dangers of the forest, all that live here are. You tend to your baking of bread and grinding of herbs for tea. Tea only! mind you."<br/><br/>The two clamped their hats on their heads and stormed from the cabin.<br/><br/>Mercy let out a breath. "Well,that went very well."<br/><br/>~~~~~~~~~~~~<br/><br/>When Prudence did show up to work for the Goodwife, she could scarcely walk. She was so frustrated. The more she had pleasured herself, the higher the flame of wanting had burned between her legs. How could she possibly wait for two more days to pass before returning to her love, to her Master. He was like a burning fire, a drug that filled her veins.<br/><br/>"I said, I'm speaking to you," Goodwife snapped at her. "Where have you been and why do you smell so horribly? Go cleanse yourself and come back immediately. there  is butter to churn and dinner to be made. You will stay by my fire to night for if you can not be here at the rising of the sun to work when left to your own devices, you will be restricted to my cabin. You are a serving girl and you are in service to me. I will have no more slacking. Is that understood?"<br/><br/>Prudence paled. She could barely concentrate on the words, so badly did she need to grab herself. She hied herself to the small room off the kitchen where the ewer and basin were . No one was  around so she hiked her skirts and cleansed herself. and then her clean fingers eased some of her frustration. Would it never stop? She needed her Master.