Margaret excused herself abruptly from the breakfast table and ran to her room. Thankfully John had already left for the mill therefore he was not present to witness, and worry about, her indisposition. She barely made it to the chamber pot in time to relinquish her breakfast.

Margaret reached for Bessy's cup. She needed some water to wash the bile from her mouth. This was the third day in a row this had happened to her – what was wrong? Was it something that she ate? or was there some illness going around? However, she always felt better by the afternoon. Margaret shook her head.

'I will have to ask Hannah,' Margaret said to herself.

Just then there was a knock at her bedroom door. 'Margaret? Are you alright?' It was Hannah herself.

'Yes. Come in Hannah,' replied Margaret.

'Oh you dear girl. Again?' Hannah sat next to her and rubbed her back with motherly concern.

Surprised, Margaret asked, 'What do you mean, 'again'? You knew this happened to me yesterday?'

'And the day before that.' Nodded Hannah. 'I remember the symptoms well myself. Many mothers experience the same thing. It is perfectly normal and it will pass in a few weeks.'

'Mothers? Do you mean? Oh my!' Margaret covered her mouth with her hands. She sat for a minute contemplating this revelation. 'I have to tell John!' Margaret said jumping up. Unfortunately she moved a little too quickly and had to sit back down again with more queasiness. After another bout with the chamber pot and another swig from Bessy's cup she was feeling just about normal.

Hannah suggested, 'Why don't you lie down for a while. You must take care of my grandchild.' And with an increasing smile she said, 'You can go tell John at the lunch break. I'm sure he will be mighty pleased. Here, I will get you some more water and leave you to rest.' She smoothed her daughter in law's forehead and left the room.

Margaret napped for a few hours with a smile on her face. She awoke to the feel of fingers brushing across her cheek. Blinking her eyes open she said, 'John! What are you doing here?'

'You looked rather pale at breakfast, love, and so I thought I would come home mid-morning to see how you were. Mother said you were tired and resting,' John said with a loving smile on his face.

Margaret sat up and took his hand. Looking into his clear blue eyes she said, 'John, I am with child!'

He stared for a moment and then placed his hand on her abdomen and a smile spread across his face. Then he gathered her in his arms and said, 'A child! Oh Margaret, my love.'