Why could the colonel evict the family from the cottage unless mother would work for him?

The colonel could evict the family from the cottage because he likely held legal ownership or authority over the property, granting him the right to remove tenants. His demand for the mother to work for him suggests a manipulation of power, where he uses the family's precarious situation to coerce her into servitude in exchange for their continued residence. This scenario underscores themes of exploitation and the harsh realities faced by those in vulnerable positions.