"What, me too?" said the woman in the other bed. "I can hardly stand; I tried just now to get across the room."
"I'm very sorry, but we've new patients coming, and there's all our spring cleaning. Have you any place to go to?"
"No place except a lodging," said Esther; "and I have only two pounds five now."
"What's the use in taking us at all if you fling us out on the street when we can hardly walk?" said the other woman. "I wish I had gone and drowned myself. I was very near doing it. If I had it would be all over now for me and the poor baby."
"I'm used to all this ingratitude," said the matron. "You have got through your confinement very comfortably, and your baby is quite healthy; I hope you'll try and keep it so. Have you any money?"
"Only four-and-sixpence."
"Have you got any friends to whom you can go?"
"No."
"Then you'll have to apply for admission to the workhouse."
The woman made no answer, and at that moment two sisters came and forcibly began to dress her. She fell back from time to time in their arms, almost fainting.