MADELEINE. I don’t want to have another child for fear that my husband would leave me altogether. A divorce, if I got one, would leave me a kind of half-widow and make my girl an orphan.
CATHERINE. If I had any more, it would only mean taking away food from those who haven’t enough as it is.
LUCIE. I’m guilty enough already. Two children of suffering owe their existence to me.
MADELEINE. Think of my torture! I adore my husband: when he comes back I long to feel myself in his arms and I dread the consequences.
CATHERINE. Mine will leave me if I have another. And then what would become of me, all alone with all my children?
LUCIE. Your children who are grown up will support you, Catherine.
CATHERINE. Those who are grown up! Grown up! I’ve just been hearing about them. Edmond is in hospital, ruined for life by going into what they call ‘a dangerous trade’ because he couldn’t get work in any other. There are too many workmen. My daughter, she’s on the streets. [Sobbing] Oh, it’s too much! There’s too much misery in the world!
MADELEINE. Yes, there’s too much misery!
ANNETTE. And I thought I was the most miserable!