Read Online The Baby Experiment by Anne Dublin - Free Book Online

about what lay ahead, about what would happen to Mama, and whether she had made the right decision. Perhaps I should turn back. Perhaps it is not too late. But with every mile they travelled away from Hamburg, Johanna knew it was indeed too late to go back. No. I have begun this journey and I must see it to its end.
    By late afternoon, Johanna could contain herself no longer. “Daniel, that is enough. If we don’t stop at an inn soon, you can … give us back our money. Or …”
    â€œOr what?” Daniel snarled. “Are you threatening me, girl? What are you going to do, eh? Walk back to Hamburg? Or maybe go to the police and tell them you kidnapped a baby?”
    Johanna smiled wanly. “I’m not threatening you. Do I look as if I could?”
    â€œNot likely!”
    â€œOnly … we need to stop soon.” She looked up and down the road. “Most travellers have already stopped for the night. And you said it was dangerous ….”
    â€œYou’ve got a point there,” Daniel said as he scratched his armpit. “All right. We’ll stop at the next town.”
    When they reached the town of Elsdorf, Daniel finally stopped at an inn. The girls clambered from the wagon and followed Daniel inside. A fire crackled in the large brick fireplace at one end of the large room. Candles flickered in brass sconces on the walls. A motley group of travellers were seated on benches set around tables. The air was thick with the smell of unwashed bodies, sour beer, warmed-over cabbage, and stale tobacco smoke.
    â€œInnkeeper!” Daniel shouted. “Service here!”
    A slight, nervous-looking man came up to them. His red hair stuck up on top of his head. He wiped his hands on a dirty cloth hanging from his waist. His smile revealed that most of his teeth were missing. “Of course, of course, come right in.”
    He showed them to a stained wooden table, which he wiped hastily with his cloth. “A lick and a promise, a lick and a promise.” He looked at Daniel and the girls. “Make yourselves comfortable. Always nice to welcome travellers, I say. Name’s Schmidt. At your service,” he added, making a small bow. “At your service.”
    They sat down on the benches on either side of the table.
    â€œWill you be staying the night?” Schmidt asked. “I have a nice room for you. A nice room.”
    â€œYes,” said Johanna. “We’ll need a room for us women and the baby.”
    â€œThat’s fine. That’s fine,” said Schmidt, rubbing his hands together. “We have a nice stew with dumplings tonight. It’ll stick to your ribs, stick to your ribs.”
    â€œSome beer first, then that stew,” Daniel said.
    â€œPlease bring a cup of warm milk for the baby,” Johanna said. Rebecca was squirming beneath her cloak. Johanna glanced at Cecile, who looked pale and worn out.
    â€œRight away, right away,” said Schmidt as he hurried away.
    A few minutes later, a young girl brought a pitcher of beer and three pewter mugs to the table, as well as a steaming cup of milk.
    Daniel gulped his beer greedily. “There,” he said, wiping his mouth, “That’s better.” He refilled his mug, downed the contents, and said, “Be right back. Call of nature.” He walked unsteadily out a door at the back of the inn.
    Johanna put Rebecca on her lap and helped her drink the warm milk. The baby gulped eagerly, giving little sighs of contentment between each swallow. Johanna sipped her beer and gazed around the room.
    In a dark corner, she noticed a man who was sitting alone. The curls in his long wig and the spotless lace at his cuffs gleamed in the candlelight. He must be important . He is sitting on a fancy chair with carved legs, not on a plain bench like everyone else .
    â€œCecile, look over there,” Johanna whispered, tilting her head towards the man.
    â€œWhere?”
    â€œIn the