Answer: awife

AnswerCrossword Clue
AWIFE"Had .. and couldn't ..."
AWIFE"The Thane of Fife had ...."
AWIFE"The farmer takes ..."
AWIFE" . . . had ... and couldn't . . . "
AWIFE"The farmer takes ... . . . "
AWIFE"Had ... and couldn't keep her" (nursery rhyme line)
AWIFE"...had ... and couldn't keep her"
AWIFE"...had .... and couldn't keep her"