It is no wonder women have a reputation for patience which is not shared by men. We spend so much of our time waiting. Waiting for a child to be born. Waiting for a man to come home, from the fields, from the sea, from battle. Waiting endlessly for news. That can be the worst, as fear bites deep at the vitals, and seizes the heart with chill fingers. The mind can make strange and horrible pictures, while you are waiting.