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Show Page 117 "I wish to speak also," said Richard, who until that moment I had forgotten. The governor nodded. "I have watched Mistress Douglas since her departure from England," he said. "Should more such as her choose to come, this will, indeed, be a land of prosperity, for she is a hard worker who goes far beyond the task demanded of her. She tutors the indentured children. She labors to make soap ashes--as the Company has requested. Gentlemen, she even labors in the fields." At his last words the gentlemen gathered gasped. "Field work!" said John Pory. "Not even indentured women do field work! Only the most beastly among them. It would seem Mistress Douglas is, indeed, contributing more than her share to the betterment of Virginia." Again the men went into a huddle, Edward Sharpless watching with a frown and chewing upon his lower lip. I gave Richard a grateful look. "Place your hand upon the Bible," said Governor Yeardley, turning at last to me. "You may take the oath and claim your headright." Moments later I stood outside the Governor's Mansion, the certificate confirming I was entitled to one hundred acres of land clutched in my hand. I had sworn the oath that Aunt Mary |