Nathaniel, "that she would have been welcome in any house on a New Year's
Day." She lasted but a year, and, while she was a regret, she had been
tolerated as an attempt, at least, in the right direction. Then came the
second girl, a soft, pale creature with ways that endeared her to the
mother-heart so tragically that when she died at the age of two Theodora
rebelliously proclaimed that she wanted no other children! This blasphemy
shocked Nathaniel beyond measure, and when, a year later, twin girls were
born on Lonely Farm, he pointed out to his wife that no woman could fly
in the face of the Almighty with impunity and she must now see, in this
double disgrace of sex, her punishment.

Theodora was stricken; but the sad little sisters early escaped the
bondage of life, and the Glenns once again, childless and alone, viewed
the future superstitiously and with awe. Even Nathaniel, hope gone as to
a son, resignedly accepted the fate that seemed to pursue him. Then,
after five years, Priscilla was born, the lustiest and most demanding of
all the children.

"She seems," said Long Jean, the midwife, "to be made of the odds and
ends of all the others. She has the clear, dark skin of the first, the
blue eyes of the second, and the rusty coloured hair and queer features
of the twins."

Between Long Jean and Mary Terhune, midwives, a social rivalry existed.
On account of her Indian taint Long Jean was less sought in aristocratic
circles, but so great had been the need the night when Priscilla made her
appearance, that both women had been summoned, and Long Jean, arriving
first, and, her superior skill being well known, was accepted.

When she announced the birth and sex of the small stranger, Nathaniel,