"And I hope I am that, ma'am. I'm truly sorry for my fault. I've suffered a great deal."
"So you all say; but supposing it were to happen again, and in my house?
Supposing——"
"Then don't you think, ma'am, there is repentance and forgiveness? Our
Lord said——"
"You ought to have told me; and as for Mrs. Barfield, her conduct is most reprehensible."
"Then, ma'am, would you prevent every poor girl who has had a misfortune from earning her bread? If they was all like you there would be more girls who'd do away with themselves and their babies. You don't know how hard pressed we are. The baby-farmer says, 'Give me five pounds and I'll find a good woman who wants a little one, and you shall hear no more about it.' Them very words were said to me. I took him away and hoped to be able to rear him, but if I'm to lose my situations——"
"I should be sorry to prevent anyone from earning their bread——"
"You're a mother yourself, ma'am, and you know what it is."
"Really, it's quite different…. I don't know what you mean, Waters."
"I mean that if I am to lose my situations on account of my baby, I don't know what will become of me. If I give satisfaction—"
At that moment Mr. Trubner entered. He was a large, stout man, with his mother's aquiline features. He arrived with his glasses on his nose, and slightly out of breath.