Heidi felt like a small hunted animal as she looked anxiously around for a way to escape. Should I dart down one of these dimly lit alleys? Nay, nay, that is where thugs and other evil doers linger. Oh where, shall I go? Where shall I go? Hans and Maeken! Surely they will take me in! I was dear to them when I was their maid in my youth. I know they care about me!
It was
nigh on impossible to walk slowly, against stream with so many people jostling
her as they headed to the various immense church buildings throughout the city.
More than once someone seemed to look at her questioningly, but she merely
hugged her basket closer, and pretended to be on some important errand. Oh I
hope they think I am bringing nourishment to some poor, ailing folk!
“Heidi!
Why come you here at such a dangerous hour? Are you not well? Are your
children, unwell?”
“Oh,
Maeken, let me in, please let me in! I am being hunted like an animal simply
for being an Anabaptist.” Hans reached around his wife and pulled her through the
portals and closed the door firmly behind him.
Maeken wrung her hands in despair. “Oh, my child, I knew thou wouldst leap into trouble
by embracing that queer faith! What have you done? Why are they chasing you?”
