So one Sunday as the girl, prayer-book in hand, was
going to church, he met her in the wood. They sat down, and he
asked if she intended to declare him the father of the child she
was about to bear; for it was in this time of sore necessity that
she was going to seek consolation in the church. She replied that
she could accuse no one else. He spoke of the shame it would bring
on him, and how annoyed his mother already was. Yes, yes, she knew
that too well. His mother was very angry with her; and she thought
it strange of Peer that he didn't stand up for her; he knew best
whose fault it was that all this had happened. But Peer hinted
that she had been compliant to others as well as to himself, and
therefore he would not submit to being given out as the child's
father. He tried to make her angry, but did not succeed, she was
so gentle. He had an axe lying concealed in the heather near where
he sat. He took it and struck her on the head from behind. She did
not lose consciousness at once, but tried to defend herself while
she begged for her life. He could give no clear account of what
happened afterwards.
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