Surplus Women

[Kit]

She was apparently married at the time so they couldn't have married her.

[Olde Crone]

Kit

The book is really talking about women who could not find a husband, which was the "normal" expectation a hundred years ago. There would have been many men available as sexual partners though, I'm sure!

OC

[Kit]

I know. Sadly I think women are still expected to marry and have children but they can work as well. There is also a difference in acceptance between men who sleep around and women who do the same.