"These are, as you say, my daughter, great and useful things."
Charlotte continued reading:
"'The National Convention, upon a report of the Committee of Public Safety, adopted also this resolution:
"'The National Convention decrees:
"'There shall be opened in each department a register entitled the Book of National Benefits.
"'The first division therein shall be for old and infirm farmers;
"'The second, for old or infirm mechanics;
"'The third shall be set apart for mothers and widows as well as unmarried mothers, who have children in the country districts.
"'These decrees prove that the Republic, in its commiseration for the unfortunate, consecrates to them a sort of religious care; not only does it relieve the miseries of the people, but it honors their misfortune. It is not a degrading alms which it throws them, it is the debt of the country which it seeks to pay off to the aged who have used up their lives in toil upon the land or in trades. This debt the Republic also pays off to the poor widows who can not undertake the care of their young family. The aged, the child, and the woman, are the constant objects of the solicitude of the Republic.'"
Just then Gertrude the serving maid ran quickly into the room. Her countenance was at once joyous and pained. Charlotte sprang from her seat, and cried,