A Stitch in Time

Book excerpt: You rarely hear men talk about juggling children, work, and household today. Imagine if a nineteenth-century man was in that fix. What would he do? They didn't have the resources we have today. This book is a look at Otto von Goff and his daughter, Luise, during the time he made a contract to sell his cattle to France. That had never been done before. Railways were just starting, and Otto set out to take advantage of it. Unfortunately, his wife, Hildegard, is ill and hasn't paid the household staff, so Otto has to get the books without letting his guests know he's involved in the household. In addition, his daughter is sick and lonely, wanting his attention and someone to play with. He lets them go to his sorrow. He concentrates on the deal, letting his household and his daughter fall aside, thinking he'll make up later. His mother taught him, "A stitch in time saves nine," and now he has to deal with the consequences.