"Absolutely. That is—she will never see the child again; she will not ask who takes the child, or where it is taken, or in what position of life it will be brought up. She accepts your assurance that the child will be cared for, and treated kindly. She fully consents."
"Poor creature!"
"You will give her fifty pounds, and that single payment will terminate the whole business."
"Terminate the whole business? Oh, it will begin the whole business!"
"There are many reasons for adoption," the doctor continued, returning to the point with which he had no concern. "I have read in books of substituting a child—introducing a child—for the sake of keeping a title, or an estate, or a family."
The lady answered as if she had not heard this remark. "The mother consents to sell her child! Poor creature!"
"She accepts your conditions. I have told you so. Go your way—she goes hers."
The lady reflected for a moment. "Tell me," she said,—"you are a man of science,—in such an adoption——"
"Or, perhaps, such a substitution," interrupted the doctor.
"Is there not danger of inherited vice, or disease?"