"You will be given instructions along with the rest of the workers once we begin," Tobias replied. "But you probably should know me wife's given birth some three months ago and she's been ill since. She is slowly recovering, but fragile still. You should not be in the house much, Edmund, but you, Mable, must keep yer voice down when yer inside, also for the sake of me daughter. T' bairn is stronger now, but we do not want 'er sleep interrupted. And I'd appreciate it if ye both be kind and patient around me wife, she isn't quite 'erself yet. But if ye see any possible trouble, or she acts in a strange way, ye come and tell me."

He'd rather not share as much at all, but if Alice was well enough she'd help with the hay making and they were bound to run into her. Alice seemed to behave and actually try as of late. She actually followed instructions and had even started bringing him and Jimmy water when they were out on the field, without being asked to do so. A peace offering that he had gladly taken and returned with allowing her to play Sally's piano, so long as she handled it with care and Emma was not asleep. She was better with Emma too - that was, willing to hold the child and play with her, though he could see the jealousy whenever it became evident that Emma preferred the wetnurse over Alice, and he dreaded the trouble that would lead to. It was her own fault, but he'd bite his tongue every time he wanted to point that out. The minister had told him to examine his own role in the dynamic and he did his best not to add coal to the fire.