Chapter Nineteen (Geertrui) Summary

Two months after Jacob's death, Geertrui knows for certain that she is pregnant with his child. At the time, it was one of the worst sins for an unmarried woman to fall pregnant, but Geertrui is overjoyed. She does not care what punishment comes her way, or the way of the child, she has a piece of Jacob that will live on after his death. Soon after, Dirk returns home. There is a joyous celebration. He asks to speak with Geertrui privately, and proposes marriage once again. Geertrui can hold nothing back from her old friend. She tells Dirk about her relationship with Jacob and her pregnancy. Dirk does not waiver. He wants to marry Geertrui, to protect her from an unmarried life. He will raise this baby as his own so long as Geertrui respects him, and does...