Part 2 (2)

The three family members fixed their gaze on the egress which was left open. An old and ailing lady holding a cane was standing in front.

"Please, I need some food." She said with a croaking voice.

Paddy looked at his wife Pola and they agreed with the eyes to help the poor woman.

The Mistress of the hut stopped eating, carried her bowl, and directed herself to the pot. She added more corn and beans and handed over the dish along with a spoon to the old lady.

"Take! It's hot, so beware sister!" Pola warned her.

The latter thanked her and promised to bring back the bowl once she was through nourishing herself and left.

Paddy and his spouse were astonished. Since the spell of poverty had been thrown on the once-wealthy landlord, no one had ever come to visit them.

Instead, bad tongues in Mankayane spread the news that Mr. Paddy had lost his mind and signed a ten-year pact with the devil in which the demon promised to give him a son in exchange for his wealth and that at the expiration of the contract, the son would die and the baron would get back twice his fortune.

Thus villagers isolated the landlord and his wife for fear he might give their children to the devil to save his son.

They didn't hold anything against Mrs. Pola who they thought was the unlucky victim of a marriage with an honest man who later on turned himself to witchcraft.

However, they limited their interaction with the fallen landlord's wife. They felt compassion for her, so at least they traded with her.

Mrs. Pola brought corn that she exchanged against fruit such as tomatoes, and oranges, and also against spices such as onions and garlic.

The afternoon went on smoothly and as promised the old lady came back with Pola's bowl. The family was inside resting. She knocked at the door which as usual was left open during the daytime.

Paddy who was somnolent on the chair, blenched. The little Churchill kept on slumbering as if nothing had happened. He was entirely immersed in his dreams.

His mother, Pola , who was sleeping next to him on the mattress on the floor, woke up.

"Excuse me, gentleman! I have brought back your wife's bowl." said the old lady to Paddy.

"The meal was delicious. I don't recall the last time I ate such a delicacy." She added as Pola stood up and walked up to her to take back her bowl along with the spoon inside.

The old woman thanked the family once again and was about to leave but Pola asked her to wait so she would give her a fruit.

The Mistress of the house went to the corner where a bucket of oranges was laid on the ground. She picked two fresh and juicy ones up and gave them to the old lady.

As the latter took them, she said to the attention of Pola and her husband Paddy: "Now I have the proof that your kindness is genuine. Therefore you shall be rewarded accordingly."