“You simply do not know,” interrupted the doctor, “what such a nurse is capable of. You cannot imagine what bitterness—legitimate bitterness, you understand—joined to the rapacity, the cupidity, the mischief-making impulse—might inspire these people to do. For them the BOURGEOIS is always somewhat of an enemy; and when they find themselves in position to avenge their inferiority, they are ferocious.”
“But what could the woman do?”
“What could she do? She could bring legal proceedings against you.”
“But she is much too stupid to have that idea.”
“Others will put it into her mind.”
“She is too poor to pay the preliminary expenses.”
“And do you propose then to profit by her ignorance and stupidity? Besides, she could obtain judicial assistance.”
“Why, surely,” exclaimed Madame Dupont, “such a thing was never heard of! Do you mean that?”
“I know a dozen prosecutions of that sort; and always when there has been certainty, the parents have lost their case.”
“But surely, Doctor, you must be mistaken! Not in a case like ours—not when it is a question of saving the life of a poor little innocent!”