It is one of those “it was the times” moments. I think in Illewen’s case there wouldn’t have been much of a grieving phase (maybe if she had been a noble woman). Particularly since bachelors are such a rarity on Mhalwae. She would be encouraged to find a husband ASAP to take care of her and the baby. She is in a better situation actually on Mhalwae than she would be otherwise. There are so few people on Mhalwae that the nobility is much closer to the peasant class and there is a general feeling of everyone working together to survive.

I really do think that Polina is trying to do the best thing for Illewen here even though it might seem callous. Polina definitely has a higher opinion of Illewen than Igrayne. They all worked in the kitchen together, and before Igrayne’s ordeal you can imagine what a pair she and Maire must have been. But poor Igrayne… seriously, the girl risked her life for Mhalwae. She deserves a bit more respect.

And thanks for the nice welcome! Happy new year to all of you too

I don’t see it going well, though. Igrayne has suffered so much already, in her own way. Polina’s pushy nature may have just pushed Igrayne even further back into the shell of her mind, closing her off for good. I mean, Illwen has suffered, but a death, not… well, I mean, their tragedies are different. We’ll see how it goes.

I don’t envy either of them, that’s for sure. Welcome back, Verity!

Of course Igrayne is someone’s dependent herself now, but perhaps to Polina it seems a cozier life than what a widow and orphan baby would live. Perhaps people really would think that the “right” thing to do would be for Igrayne to step aside. I read recently something about a guy who lost his job during the Great Depression to make way for a man whose only special qualification over the first guy was that he was married and had a family to provide for.

And in this case — in this “colonial” society where there simply aren’t enough eligibles to go around — there is surely an extra pressure to make decisions that would seem rather cold-hearted to us. They need more citizens, and the only way they are going to get them is to make more. (And take good care of the babies they already have.)

ON THE OTHER HAND! It must be obvious even to blind Gena that Illewen is NOT interested in looking for a man right now, and that Arran and Igrayne have a little thing for each other. And Igrayne would surely have beautiful babies. (Assuming Arran isn’t sterile of course.) So what’s to think?

The only thing I am sure about is that Igrayne is going to totally give up now unless Arran absolutely throws himself at her. (Even if someone else throws him at her, he is still going to have to do some convincing himself.) She already thinks she is SO not worthy of love — now Polina has added an extra scoop of guilt on top of that, if she goes ahead and tries for (or even accepts) Arran’s affection anyway.

Oh dear oh dear. I guess the only good thing is that Illewen is SO not ready — Igrayne and Arran will probably have at least a little time window in which to find each other.

Oooh or maybe Illewen can be the one to push Igrayne and Arran together! Igrayne might accept that. But even as gentle as Illewen seemed to be earlier, she just seems to be so far away… she might not even notice all this going on around her.

Anyway, welcome back, Verity! Bonne année!

Yeesch, this birthday party was teeth gnashingly awkward.