More and more people introduced potential partners to the two of them, either widowers or divorced, all aged in their thirties or forties, with a string of troublesome relatives and children at home.
She was afraid they would be deceived, repeatedly reminding them not to become free housemaids for these families. If they couldn't find anyone suitable, it was better not to look. If they did want to find someone, it should be someone with a simple family relationship, without children or trouble. They should never lower their status to become free housemaids.
The two daughters had already graduated from elementary school and moved on to First Middle School where Anna was. During the winter holidays at home, they helped her with childcare quite a lot and were very supportive.
