THE BOY EVERYONE WANTED
In those days most people lived on farms and drew their livelihood from the land. It was considered more important than anything else to own much land. But almost as important was inheritance, because the wealth of land could only be guaranteed by keeping it together in the ownership of the family. If there were only daughters, then they must make marriages that merged or protected wealth by marrying allies. So when the boy was born, he was considered a major event, a guarantor of the future. Neither nation nor god was as precious as a son. These people were fortunate, because this boy was well-endowed. He nearly glittered when he walked and his laugh was like a bird singing. From his father he inherited vitality, an excellent mind, and potency. From his mother he accepted the warmest of protection and guidance. She loved him above everything but his father -- she was completely, absolutely, committed to his father because she was constitutionally and -- truth be to