"It seems so cruel, so dreadfully cruel," said Anna.
"But it's all for Thora's own good, mother," said Oscar.
"I know, Oscar, I know, yet it's cruel for all that."
"But I should like to know who's going to do it," said Aunt Margret. "I'm not, I tell you flat."
"Then Anna must do it herself," said the Governor.
"No, no, don't ask me," said Anna.
"Why not? Who so proper to do such an act of mercy and love? And Oscar, too--Oscar himself if need be must carry the child over to the Factor's."
Oscar's lips whitened and quivered and his heart clutched at his ribs.
It was decided that the child should be taken from the mother that night, as soon as she was asleep and the house was quiet.
"But she goes to sleep with the child at her breast and always awakes when it wants the bottle," said Anna. "I'll give her a draught--she'll sleep until morning," said the Doctor.