Babbe, born Barbara Vansuyt, lives on the outskirts of the Eierpanders. She is a deaf-mute, ugly, old, worn-out woman suspected of letting small children waste away.
It is notable that Babbe is always the very first to visit young mothers who have just given birth. Unfortunately, after her visit, the children quickly fall ill and die soon after.
When mothers see Babbe arriving, they place a consecrated palm branch, salt and a holy water jar on the sill. When Babbe notices these, she jumps away and flees across the fields to her hovel. The following day, the mothers take their children to the abbots of Zonnebeke for a check-up.
