7. Huwelijk

7.    On the Stereind
1735
Scenes from a marriage
Four neighboring women may, nay must, come and tell the sheriff about the marriage of Lambert Peters van der Aa and Joanna Pauwelsen van de Berglaeren. The couple lives on the Schilt. Well, the neighbors don't mind at all. They'll take care of that! Shall they start right away? What does Mr. Bailiff want to know?
    Have you heard that Lambert threatened to take Joanna's life?
Well, what shall they say. They did hear Lambert tell his wife once that he would break her neck, but whether he really meant it seriously?
    'And didn't Lambert chase his wife out of the house several times?'
'Yes, they all saw that happen once or twice, yes.
    'And didn't Lambert shout that he would spend all his money and property so that his wife would perish through hunger and want?'
'Yep, but well, he would suffer a lot of that himself then, wouldn't he?
    'Didn't Lambert mistreat his wife every day?'
Well, they did see Lambert kick Joanna once, but mostly it was just cursing. Although, a knife did fly through the air once, and Lambert also once looked for his wife with a sword in his hand.
    'Whereas Joanna is a good woman, isn't she?'
Sure, sure, she has always watched her house closely early and late and done everything a wife should and must to do!