PRES. Well?
LUCIE. Our money was soon spent. Annette was giving some music lessons; they guessed her condition and they sent her away. I did some sewing.
PRES. And earned some money?
LUCIE. I couldn’t always get work. When I got it, I was paid sevenpence-halfpenny for twelve hours. I was not a skilled worker. Some people get a shilling and a halfpenny. We were in despair, thinking of the child that was coming.
PRES. That was not a reason for leading your sister and her child to their deaths! [Lucie is seized with a nervous trembling and does not answer]. Answer!
COUN. DEF. Give her a moment to recover, M. le président.
LUCIE [controlling herself] I wanted to get her into a hospital, but they only take them at the end. It seems there are homes one can go to in Paris, but not in the provinces.
PRES. You could have applied for charity.
LUCIE. Six months residence was necessary. And then, what should we have done with the child?
PRES. As it was impossible for you to bring it up, your sister could have taken it to a foundling hospital.