"Does she know?"
"Yes; and I am not sure that that isn't the worst part of all."
"How?—what do you mean?"
"Oh! I was just beginning to have a good opinion of her, but I'm afraid she is very depraved. After the doctor was gone, she pulled the bed-curtain aside, and looked as if she wanted to speak to me. (I can't think how she heard, for we were close to the window, and spoke very low.) Well, I went to her, though I really had taken quite a turn against her. And she whispered, quite eagerly, 'Did he say I should have a baby?' Of course, I could not keep it from her; but I thought it my duty to look as cold and severe as I could. She did not seem to understand how it ought to be viewed, but took it just as if she had a right to have a baby. She said, 'Oh, my God, I thank Thee! Oh! I will be so good!' I had no patience with her then, so I left the room."
"Who is with her?"
"Mrs Hughes. She is not seeing the thing in a moral light, as I should have expected."
Mr Benson was silent again. After some time he began:
"Faith, I don't see this affair quite as you do. I believe I am right."
"You surprise me, brother! I don't understand you."
"Wait awhile! I want to make my feelings very clear to you, but I don't know where to begin, or how to express myself."