The Pound of the Lalay

The institution of village wife was a peculiar lalay one. Young women were thus the credits and debots the pieces being moved around the chess board, while the hands that moved them were invariably male. Only men could be either creditors or debtors. The very fact that she was the stakes in a game that all men were playing afforded all sorts of opportunities to gain the system. In practice, a little lalay girl would grow up a coquette. Her affianced husband never gained more than a very limited control over her. Hopeful seducers were never lacking. And no woman doubted that she could get another husband if it suited her. Every one was well aware