"What are you thinking!"
The woman said disapprovingly, "The main household won't let us get away with this!"
She casually poured each of the two children a bowl of water. Neither of them cried or fussed; they just obediently held their bowls and drank.
She had been the man's partner for many years. Sometimes, out of loneliness on the road, they would sleep together. They were practically husband and wife.
One look at the man's shifty eyes and the woman knew what he was thinking.
'I'd rather die than be sold to a place like that.'
'The sooner I die, the sooner I'll be reborn.'
The woman muttered, "What a sin." Looking at the two innocent children, she felt a pang of pity and ordered two more dishes.
'It's their last meal, anyway. Might as well let them die on a full stomach.'
The man grumbled that it was a waste, but didn't say anything more.
