Belboz Again

She heaved herself to her feet, left the dining room and made her way to the front door. When she opened it, she found Belboz standing there. "You!" she said.

"That's not a very warm greeting for an old friend," Belboz said sardonically.

"You've trapped me in a nightmare. What sort of greeting did you expect? And with every extra child it gets worse: more housework to do, more expense, and the cottage getting ever more overcrowded. It's only the kindness and generosity of our neighbours that makes it possible for us to just about cope. Now if you don't have anything helpful to say, I'll get back to Louisa's birthday party."

"As it happens, I do have something helpful to say. But if you'd rather not hear it..."

"No, please go on."

1. "I've decided to put Fred back in control, though your body must stay as it is. If you want to leave, I'll make other arrangements for looking after your family."
2. "I take your point about the practical difficulties of such a large family. So your husband is going to find that he has come into a large sum of money. You'll be able to move into a much larger house and take on servants."
3. "I take your point about the practical difficulties of such a large family. So after this child is born, I've decided that you won't have any more."
4. "I take your point about the practical difficulties of such a large family. So I'm going to explain to your husband about methods of contraception."
5. "I take your point about the practical difficulties of such a large family. So to prevent it getting any bigger, I'm going to put your current pregnancy 'on hold'. You will remain seven months pregnant indefinitely."

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