第3章

"Yes，"saidthemother，hervoicebreaking，"sheis，indeed，apoorlittledaughter!"

Asilencefell；forwhatcouldwordsavailinsuchasituation？

Hearingthedooropen，MadameDupontstarted，forhernerveswerealla—quiverwiththestrainshehadbeenunder。Aservantcameinandspoketoher，andshesaidtoGeorge，"Itisthedoctor。

Ifyouneedme，Ishallbeinthenextroom。"

Hersonstoodtrembling，asifhewerewaitingtheapproachofanexecutioner。Theothercameintotheroomwithoutseeinghimandhestoodforaminute，claspingandunclaspinghishands，almostovercomewithemotion。Thenhesaid，"Good—day，doctor。"Asthemanstaredathim，surprisedandpuzzled，headded，"Youdon’trecognizeme？"

Thedoctorlookedagain，moreclosely。Georgewasexpectinghimtobreakoutinrage；butinsteadhisvoicefelllow。"You!"heexclaimed。"Itisyou!"

Atlast，inavoiceofdiscouragementthanofanger，hewenton，"Yougotmarried，andyouhaveachild!AfterallthatItoldyou!Youareawretch!"

"Sir，"criedGeorge，"letmeexplaintoyou!"

"Notaword!"exclaimedtheother。"Therecanbenoexplanationforwhatyouhavedone。"

Asilencefollowed。Theyoungmandidnotknowwhattosay。

Finally，stretchingouthisarms，hepleaded，"Youwilltakecareofmylittledaughterallthesame，willyounot？"

Theotherturnedawaywithdisgust。"Imbecile!"hesaid。

Georgedidnotheartheword。"Iwasabletowaitonlysixmonths，"hemurmured。

Thedoctoransweredinavoiceofcoldself—repression，"Thatisenough，sir!Allthatdoesnotconcernme。Ihavedonewrongeventoletyouseemyindignation。Ishouldhaveleftyoutojudgeyourself。Ihavenothingtodoherebutwiththepresentandwiththefuture——withtheinfantandwiththenurse。"

"Sheisn’tindanger？"criedGeorge。

"Thenurseisindangerofbeingcontaminated。"

ButGeorgehadnotbeenthinkingaboutthenurse。"Imeanmychild，"hesaid。

"Justatpresentthesymptomsarenotdisturbing。"

Georgewaited；afterawhilehebegan，"Youweresayingaboutthenurse。WillyouconsentthatIcallmymother？SheknowsbetterthanI。"

"Asyouwish，"wasthereply。

Theyoungmanstartedtothedoor，butcameback，interribledistress。"Ihaveoneprayertoofferyousir；arrangeitsothatmywife——sothatnoonewillknow。IfmywifelearnedthatitisIwhoamthecause——!ItisforherthatIimploreyou!

She——sheisn’ttoblame。"

Saidthedoctor："Iwilldoeverythinginmypowerthatshemaybekeptignorantofthetruenatureofthedisease。"

"Oh，howIthankyou!"murmuredGeorge。"HowIthankyou!"

"Donotthankme；itisforher，andnotforyou，thatIwillconsenttolie。"

"Andmymother？"

"Yourmotherknowsthetruth。"

"But——"

"Iprayyou，sir——wehaveenoughtotalkabout，andveryseriousmatters。"

SoGeorgewenttothedoorandcalledhismother。Sheenteredandgreetedthedoctor，holdingherselferect，andstrivingtokeepthesignsofgriefandterrorfromherface。Shesignedtothedoctortotakeaseat，andthenseatedherselfbyalittletablenearhim。

"MadameDupont，"hebegan，"Ihaveprescribedacourseoftreatmentforthechild。Ihopetobeabletoimproveitscondition，andtopreventanynewdevelopments。Butmydutyandyoursdoesnotstopthere；ifthereisstilltime，itisnecessarytoprotectthehealthofthenurse。"

"Telluswhatitisnecessarytodo，Doctor？"saidshe。

"Thewomanmuststopnursingthechild。"

"Youmeanwehavetochangethenurse？"

"Madame，thechildcannolongerbebroughtupatthebreast，eitherbythatnurseorbyanyothernurse。"

"Butwhy，sir？"

"Becausethechildwouldgiveherdiseasetothewomanwhogavehermilk。"

"But，Doctor，ifweputheronthebottle——ourlittleone——shewilldie!"

AndsuddenlyGeorgeburstoutintosobs。"Oh，mypoorlittledaughter!MyGod，myGod!"

Saidthedoctor，"Ifthefeedingiswellattendedto，withsterilizedmilk——"

"Thatcandoverywellforhealthyinfants，"brokeinMadameDupont。"Butattheageofthreemonthsonecannottakefromthebreastababylikeours，frailandill。Morethananyothersuchaninfanthasneedofanurse——isthatnottrue？"

"Yes，"thedoctoradmitted，"thatistrue。But——"

"Inthatcase，betweenthelifeofthechild，andthehealthofthenurse，youunderstandperfectlywellthatmychoiceismade。"

BetweenherwordsthedoctorheardthesobbingofGeorge，whoseheadwasburiedinhisarms。"Madame，"hesaid，"yourloveforthatbabyhasjustcausedyoutouttersomethingferocious!Itisnotforyoutochoose。Itisnotforyoutochoose。Iforbidthenursing。Thehealthofthatwomandoesnotbelongtoyou。"

"No，"criedthegrandmother，wildly，"nordoesthehealthofoutchildbelongtoyou!Ifthereisahopeofsavingit，thathopeisingivingitmorecarethananyotherchild；andyouwouldwishthatIputituponamodeofnourishmentwhichthedoctorscondemn，evenforvigorousinfants!YouexpectthatIwillletmyselfbetakeninlikethat？Iansweryou：sheshallhavethemilkwhichsheneeds，mypoorlittleone!Iftherewasasinglethingthatonecoulddotosaveher——Ishouldbeacriminaltoneglectit!"AndMadameDupontbrokeout，withfuriousscorn，"Thenurse!Thenurse!Weshallknowhowtodoourduty——weshalltakecareofher，repayher。Butourchildbeforeall!Nosir，no!EverythingthatcanbedonetosaveourbabyIshalldo，letitcostwhatitwill。Todowhatyousay——youdon’trealizeit——itwouldbeasifIshouldkillthechild!"Intheendtheagonizedwomanburstintotears。"Oh，mypoorlittleangel!Mylittlesavior!"

Georgehadneverceasedsobbingwhilehismotherspoke；attheselastwordshissobsbecameloudcries。Hestruckthefloorwithhisfoot，hetorehishair，asifheweresufferingfromviolentphysicalpain。"Oh，oh，oh!"hecried。"Mylittlechild!Mylittlechild!"Andthen，inahorrifiedwhispertohimself，"I

amawretch!Acriminal!"

"Madame，"saidthedoctor，"youmustcalmyourself；youmustbothcalmyourselves。Youwillnothelpoutthesituationbylamentations。Youmustlearntotakeitwithcalmness。"

MadameDupontsetherlipstogether，andwithapainfuleffortrecoveredherself—control。"Youareright，sir，"shesaid，inalowvoice。"Iaskyourpardon；butifyouonlyknewwhatthatchildmeanstome!Ilostoneatthatage。Iamanoldwoman，I

amawidow——Ihadhardlyhopedtolivelongenoughtobeagrandmother。But，asyousay——wemustbecalm。"Sheturnedtotheyoungman，"Calmyourself，myson。Itisapoorwaytoshowourloveforthechild，toabandonourselvestotears。Letustalk，Doctor，andseriously——coldly。ButIdeclaretoyouthatnothingwilleverinducemetoputthechildonthebottle，whenIknowthatitmightkillher。ThatisallIcansay。"

Thedoctorreplied："Thisisn’tthefirsttimethatIfindmyselfinthepresentsituation。Madame，Ideclaretoyouthatalways——ALWAYS，youunderstand——personswhohaverejectedmyadvicehavehadreasontorepentitcruelly。"

"TheonlythingofwhichIshouldrepent——"begantheother。

"Yousimplydonotknow，"interruptedthedoctor，"whatsuchanurseiscapableof。Youcannotimaginewhatbitterness——

legitimatebitterness，youunderstand——joinedtotherapacity，thecupidity，themischief—makingimpulse——mightinspirethesepeopletodo。ForthemtheBOURGEOISisalwayssomewhatofanenemy；andwhentheyfindthemselvesinpositiontoavengetheirinferiority，theyareferocious。"

"Butwhatcouldthewomando？"

"Whatcouldshedo？Shecouldbringlegalproceedingsagainstyou。"

"Butsheismuchtoostupidtohavethatidea。"

"Otherswillputitintohermind。"

"Sheistoopoortopaythepreliminaryexpenses。"

"Anddoyouproposethentoprofitbyherignoranceandstupidity？Besides，shecouldobtainjudicialassistance。"

"Why，surely，"exclaimedMadameDupont，"suchathingwasneverheardof!Doyoumeanthat？"

"Iknowadozenprosecutionsofthatsort；andalwayswhentherehasbeencertainty，theparentshavelosttheircase。"

"Butsurely，Doctor，youmustbemistaken!Notinacaselikeours——notwhenitisaquestionofsavingthelifeofapoorlittleinnocent!"

"Oftentimesexactlysuchfactshavebeenpresented。"

HereGeorgebrokein。"Icangiveyouthedatesofthedecisions。"Herosefromhischair，gladofanopportunitytobeuseful。"Ihavethebooks，"hesaid，andtookonefromthecaseandbroughtittothedoctor。

"Allofthatisnouse——"interposedthemother。

ButthedoctorsaidtoGeorge，"Youwillbeabletoconvinceyourself。Theparentshavebeenforcedonceortwicetopaythenursearegularincome，andatothertimestheyhavehadtopayheranindemnity，ofwhichthefigurehasvariedbetweenthreeandeightthousandfrancs。"

MadameDupontwasreadywithareplytothis。"Neverfear，sir!

Ifthereshouldbeasuit，weshouldhaveagoodlawyer。Weshallbeabletopayandchoosethebest——andhewoulddemand，withoutdoubt，whichofthetwo，thenurseorthechild，hasgiventhediseasetotheother。"

Thedoctorwasstaringatherinhorror。"Doyounotperceivethatwouldbeamonstrousthingtodo？"

"Oh，Iwouldnothavetosayit，"wasthereply。"Thelawyerwouldseetoit——isnotthathisprofession？Mypointisthis：

byonemeansoranotherhewouldmakeuswinourcase。"

"Andthescandalthatwouldresult，"repliedtheother。"Haveyouthoughtofthat？"

HereGeorge，whohadbeenlookingoverhislaw—books，brokein。

"Doctor，permitmetogiveyoualittleinformation。Incasesofthissort，thenamesareneverprinted。"

"Yes，buttheyarespokenatthehearings。"

"That’strue。"

"Andareyoucertainthattherewillnotbeanynewspapertoprintthejudgment？"

"Whatwon’ttheystoopto，"exclaimedMadameDupont——"thosefilthyjournals!"

"Ah，"saidtheother，"andseewhatascandal？Whatashameitwouldbetoyou!"

"Thedoctorisright，mother，"exclaimedtheyoungman。

ButMadameDupontwasnotyetconvinced。"Wewillpreventthewomanfromtakinganysteps；wewillgiveherwhatshedemandsfromus。"

"Butthen，"saidtheother，"youwillgiveyourselvesuptotheriskofblackmail。Iknowafamilywhichhasbeenthusheldupforovertwelveyears。"

"Ifyouwillpermitme，Doctor，"saidGeorge，timidly，"shecouldbemadetosignareceipt。"

"Forpaymentinfull？"askedthedoctor，scornfully。

"Evenso。"

"Andthen，"addedhismother，"shewouldbemorethandelightedtogobacktohercountrywithafullpurse。Shewouldbeabletobuyalittlehouseandabitofground——inthatcountryonedoesn’tneedsomuchinordertolive。"

Atthismomenttherewasatapuponthedoor，andthenurseentered。Shewasacountrywoman，robust，rosy—cheeked，fairlyburstingwithhealth。Whenshespokeonegottheimpressionthathervoicewasmorethanshecouldcontain。Itdidnotbelonginadrawing—room，butundertheopenskyofhercountryhome。

"Sir，"shesaid，addressingthedoctor，"thebabyisawake。"

"Iwillgoandseeher，"wasthereply；andthentoMadameDupont，"Wewilltakeupthisconversationlateron。"

"Certainly，"saidthemother。"Willyouhaveneedofthenurse？"

"No，Madame，"thedoctoranswered。

"Nurse，"saidthemother，"sitdownandrest。Waitaminute，I

wishtospeaktoyou。"Asthedoctorwentout，shetookhersontoonesideandwhisperedtohim，"Iknowthewaytoarrangeeverything。Ifweletherknowwhatisthematter，andifsheaccepts，thedoctorwillhavenothingmoretosay。Isn’tthatso？"

"Obviously，"repliedtheson。

"Iamgoingtopromisethatwewillgivehertwothousandfrancswhenshegoesaway，ifshewillconsenttocontinuenursingthechild。"

"Twothousandfrancs？"saidtheother。"Isthatenough？"

"Iwillsee，"wasthereply。"Ifshehesitates，Iwillgofurther。Letmeattendtoit。"

Georgenoddedhisassent，andMadameDupontreturnedtothenurse。"Youknow，"shesaid，"thatourchildisalittlesick？"

Theotherlookedatherinsurprise。"Whyno，ma’am!"

"Yes，"saidthegrandmother。

"But，ma’am，Ihavetakenthebestofcareofher；Ihavealwayskeptherproper。"

"Iamnotsayinganythingtothecontrary，"saidMadameDupont，"butthechildissick，thedoctorshavesaidit。"

Thenursewasnottobepersuaded；shethoughttheyweregettingreadytoscoldher。"Humph，"shesaid，"that’safinething——thedoctors!Iftheycouldn’talwaysfindsomethingwrongyou’dsaytheydidn’tknowtheirbusiness。"

"Butourdoctorisagreatdoctor；andyouhaveseenyourselfthatourchildhassomelittlepimples。"

"Ah，ma’am，"saidthenurse，"that’stheheat——it’snothingbuttheheatofthebloodbreakingout。Youdon’tneedtobotheryourself；Itellyouit’sonlythechild’sblood。It’snotmyfault；Isweartoyouthatshehadnotlackedanything，andthatIhavealwayskeptherproper。"

"Iamnotreproachingyou——"

"Whatistheretoreproachmefor？Oh，whatbadluck!She’stiny——thelittleone——she’sabitfeeble；butLordsaveus，she’sacitychild!Andshe’sgettingalongallright，Itellyou。"

"No，"persistedMadameDupont，"Itellyou——shehasgotacoldinherhead，andshehasaneruptionatthebackofthethroat。"

"Well，"criedthenurse，angrily，"ifshehas，it’sbecausethedoctorscratchedherwiththatspoonheputintohermouthwrongendfirst!Acoldinthehead？Yes，that’strue；butifshehascaughtcold，Ican’tsaywhen，Idon’tknowanythingaboutit——

nothing，nothingatall。Ihavealwayskeptherwellcovered；

she’salwayshadasmuchasthreecoversonher。Thetruthis，itwaswhenyoucame，thetimebeforelast；youwereallthetimeinsistinguponopeningthewindowsinthehouse!"

"ButoncemoreItellyou，"criedMadameDupont，"wearenotputtinganyblameonyou。"

"Yes，"criedthewoman，morevehemently。"Iknowwhatthatkindoftalkmeans。It’snouse——whenyou’reapoorcountrywoman。"

"Whatareyouimaginingnow？"demandedtheother。

"Oh，that’sallright。It’snousewhenyou’reapoorcountrywoman。"

"Irepeattoyouoncemore，"criedMadameDupont，withdifficultycontrollingherimpatience，"wehavenothingwhatevertoblameyoufor。"

Butthenursebegantoweep。"IfIhadknownthatanythinglikethiswascomingtome——"

"Wehavenothingtoblameyoufor，"declaredtheother。"Weonlywishtowarnyouthatyoumightpossiblycatchthediseaseofthechild。"

Thewomanpouted。"Acoldinthehead!"sheexclaimed。"Well，ifIcatchit，itwon’tbethefirsttime。Iknowhowtoblowmynose。"

"Butyoumightalsogetthepimples。"

Atthisthenurseburstintolaughtersoloudthatthebric—a—bracrattled。"Oh，oh，oh!Dearlady，letmetellyou，weain’tcityfolks，weain’t；wedon’thavesuchsoftskins。

Whatsortoftalkisthat？Pimples——whatdifferencewouldthatmaketopoorfolkslikeus？Wedon’thaveawhitecomplexionliketheladiesofParis。Weareoutalldayinthefields，inthesunandtherain，insteadofrubbingcoldcreamonourmuzzles!Nooffense，ma’am——butIsayifyou’relookingforanexcusetogetridofme，youmustgetabetteronethanthat。"

"Excuse!"exclaimedtheother。"Whatintheworlddoyoumean？"

"Oh，Iknow!"saidthenurse，noddingherhead。

"Butspeak!"

"It’snouse，whenyou’reonlyapoorcountrywoman。"

"Idon’tunderstandyou!IsweartoyouthatIdon’tunderstandyou!"

"Well，"sneeredtheother，"Iunderstand。"

"Butthen——explainyourself。"

"No，Idon’twanttosayit。"

"Butyoumust；Iwishit。"

"Well——"

"Goahead。"

"I’monlyapoorcountrywoman，butIamnomorestupidthantheothers，forallthat。Iknowperfectlywellwhatyourtricksmean。Mr。Georgeherehasbeengrumblingbecauseyoupromisedmethirtyfrancsmoreamonth，ifIcametoParis。"Andthen，turningupontheother，shewenton——"But，sir，isn’titonlynatural？Don’tIhavetoputmyownchildawaysomewhereselse？

Andthen，canmyhusbandliveonhisappetite？We’renothingbutpoorcountrypeople，weare。"

"Youaremakingamistake，nurse，"brokeinGeorge。"Itisnothingatallofthatsort；motherisquiteright。Iamsofarfromwantingtoreproachyou，that，onthecontrary，Ithinkshehadnotpromisedenough，andIwanttomakeyou，formypart，anotherpromise。Whenyougoaway，whenbabyisoldenoughtobeweaned，bywayofthankingyou，wewishtogiveyou——"

MadameDupontbrokein，hurriedly，"Wewishtogiveyou，——overandaboveyourwages，youunderstand——wewishtogiveyoufivehundredfrancs，andperhapsathousand，ifthelittleoneisaltogetheringoodhealth。Youunderstand？"

Thenursestaredather，stupefied。"Youwillgivemefivehundredfrancs——formyself？"Shesoughttocomprehendthewords。

"Butthatwasnotagreed，youdon’thavetodothatatall。"

"No，"admittedMadameDupont。

"Butthen，"whisperedthenurse，halftoherself，"that’snotnatural。"

"Yes，"theotherhurriedon，"itisbecausethebabywillhaveneedofextracare。Youwillhavetotakemoretrouble；youwillhavetogiveitmedicines；yourtaskwillbealittlemoredelicate，alittlemoredifficult。"

"Oh，yes；thenit’ssothatIwillbesuretotakecareofher？

Iunderstand。"

"Thenit’sagreed？"exclaimedMadameDupont，withrelief。

"Yesma’am，"saidthenurse。

"Andyouwon’tcomelaterontomakereproachestous？Weunderstandoneanotherclearly？Wehavewarnedyouthatthechildissickandthatyoucouldcatchthedisease。Becauseofthat，becauseofthespecialneedofcarewhichshehas，wepromiseyoufivehundredfrancsattheendofthenursing。

That’sallright，isit？

"But，mylady，"criedthenurse，allhercupidityawakened，"youspokejustnowofathousandfrancs。"

"Verywell，then，athousandfrancs。"

Georgepassedbehindthenurseandgothismotherbythearm，drawinghertooneside。"Itwouldbeamistake，"hewhispered，"ifwedidnotmakehersignanagreementtoallthat。"

Hismotherturnedtothenurse。"Inorderthattheremaybenomisunderstandingaboutthesum——youseehowitis，IhadforgottenalreadythatIhadspokenofathousandfrancs——wewilldrawupalittlepaper，andyou，onyourpart，willwriteoneforus。"

"Verygood，ma’am，"saidthenurse，delightedwiththeideaofsoimportantatransaction。"Why，it’sjustasyoudowhenyourentahouse!"

"Herecomesthedoctor，"saidtheother。"Come，nurse，itisagreed？"

"Yes，ma’am，"wastheanswer。Butallthesame，asshewentoutshehesitatedandlookedsharplyfirstatthedoctor，andthenatGeorgeandhismother。Shesuspectedthatsomethingwaswrong，andshemeanttofindoutifshecould。

ThedoctorseatedhimselfinGeorge’sofficechair，asiftowriteaprescription。"Thechild’sconditionremainsthesame，"

hesaid；"nothingdisturbing。"

"Doctor，"saidMadameDupont，gravely，"fromnowon，youwillbeabletodevoteyourattentiontothebabyandthenursewithoutanyscruple。Duringyourabsencewehavearrangedmattersnicely。Thenursehasbeeninformedaboutthesituation，andshedoesnotmind。Shehasagreedtoacceptanindemnity，andtheamounthasbeenstated。"

Butthedoctordidnottakethesetidingsastheotherhadhopedhemight。Hereplied："Themaladywhichthenursewillalmostinevitablycontractinfeedingthechildistoograveinitsconsequences。Suchconsequencesmightgoasfarascompletehelplessness，evenasfarasdeath。SoIsaythattheindemnity，whateveritmightbe，wouldnotpaythedamage。"

"But，"exclaimedtheother，"sheacceptsit!Sheismistressofherself，andshehastheright——"

"Iamnotatallcertainthatshehastherighttosellherownhealth。AndIamcertainthatshehasnottherighttosellthehealthofherhusbandandherchildren。Ifshebecomesinfected，itisnearlycertainthatshewillcommunicatethediseasetothem；thehealthandthelifeofthechildrenshemighthavelateronwouldbegreatlycompromised。Suchthingsshecannotpossiblysell。Come，madame，youmustseethatabargainofthissortisn’tpossible。Iftheevilhasnotbeendone，youmustdoeverythingtoavoidit。"

"Sir，"protestedthemother，wildly，"youdonotdefendourinterests!"

"Madame，"wasthereply，"Idefendthosewhoareweakest。"

"Ifwehadcalledinourownphysician，whoknowsus，"sheprotested，"hewouldhavetakensideswithus。"

Thedoctorrose，withaseverelookonhisface。"Idoubtit，"

hesaid，"butthereisstilltimetocallhim。"

Georgebrokeinwithacryofdistress。"Sir，Iimploreyou!"

Andthemotherinturncried。"Don’tabandonus，sir!Yououghttomakeallowances!Ifyouknewwhatthatchildistome!I

tellyouitseemstomeasifIhadwaitedforhercominginordertodie。Havepityuponus!Havepityuponher!Youspeakoftheweakest——itisnotshewhoistheweakest？Youhaveseenher，youhaveseenthatpoorlittlebaby，soemaciated!Youhaveseenwhataheapofsufferingsheisalready；andcannotthatinspireinyouanysympathy？Iprayyou，sir——Iprayyou!"

"Ipityher，"saidthedoctor，"Iwouldliketosaveher——andI

willdoeverythingforher。Butdonotaskmetosacrificetoafeebleinfant，withanuncertainandprobablyunhappylife，thehealthofasoundandrobustwoman。Itisuselessforustocontinuesuchadiscussionasthat。"

WhereuponMadameDupontleapedupinsuddenfrenzy。"VeryWell!"

sheexclaimed。"Iwillnotfollowyourcounsels，Iwillnotlistentoyou!"

Saidthedoctorinasolemnvoice："Thereisalreadysomeoneherewhoregretsthathedidnotlistentome。"

"Yes，"moanedGeorge，"tomymisfortune，tothemisfortuneofallofus。"

ButMadameDupontwasquitebesideherself。"Verywell!"shecried。"Ifitisafault，ifitisacrime，ifIshallhavetosufferremorseforitinthislife，andallthepunishmentsinthelifetocome——Iacceptitallformyselfalone!Myselfalone，Itakethatresponsibility!Itisfrightfullyheavy，butIacceptit。IamprofoundlyaChristiansir；Ibelieveineternaldamnation；buttosavemylittlechildIconsenttolosemysoulforever。Yes，mymindismadeup——Iwilldoeverythingtosavethatlife!LetGodjudgeme；andifhecondemnsme，somuchtheworseforme!"

Thedoctoranswered："ThatresponsibilityisonewhichIcannotletyoutake，foritwillbenecessarythatIshouldacceptmypart，andIrefuseit。"

"Whatwillyoudo？"

"Ishallwarnthenurse。Ishallinformherexactly，completely——somethingwhichyouhavenotdone，Ifeelsure。"

"What？"criedMadameDupont，wildly。"You，adoctor，calledintoafamilywhichgivesyouitsentireconfidence，whichhandsovertoyouitsmostterriblesecrets，itsmosthorriblemiseries——youwouldbetraythem？"

"Itisnotabetrayal，"repliedtheman，sternly。"Itissomethingwhichthelawcommands；andevenifthelawweresilent，Iwouldnotpermitafamilyofworthypeopletogoastraysofarastocommitacrime。EitherIgiveupthecase，oryouhavethenursingofthechildstopped。"

"Youthreaten!Youthreaten!"criedthewoman，almostfrantic。

"Youabusethepowerwhichyourknowledgegivesyou!Youknowthatitisyouwhoseattentionweneedbythatlittlecradle；youknowthatwebelieveinyou，andyouthreatentoabandonus!

Yourabandonmentmeansthedeathofthechild，perhaps!AndifI

listentoyou，ifwestopthenursingofthechild——thatalsomeansherdeath!"

Sheflungupherhandslikeamadcreature。"Andyetthereisnoothermeans!Ah，myGod!Whydoyounotletitbepossibleformetosacrificemyself？Iwouldwishnothingmorethantobeabletodoit——ifonlyyoumighttakemyoldbody，myoldflesh，myoldbones——ifonlyImightserveforsomething!HowquicklywouldIconsentthatitshouldinfectme——thisatrociousmalady!

HowIwouldoffermyselftoit——withwhatjoys，withwhatdelights——howeverdisgusting，howeverfrightfulitmightbe，howevermuchtobedreaded!Yes，Iwouldtakeitwithoutfear，withoutregret，ifmypooroldemptybreastsmightstillgivetothechildthemilkwhichwouldpreserveitslife!"

Shestopped；andGeorgesprangsuddenlyfromhisseat，andfledtoherandflunghimselfdownuponhiskneesbeforeher，minglinghissobsandtearswithhers。

Thedoctorroseandmovedabouttheroom，unableanylongertocontrolhisdistress。"Oh，thepoorpeople!"hemurmuredtohimself。"Thepoor，poorpeople!"

Thestormpassed，andMadameDupont，whowasawomanofstrongcharacter，gotherselftogether。Facingthedoctoragain，shesaid，"Come，sir，telluswhatwehavetodo。"

"Youmuststopthenursing，andkeepthewomanhereasadrynurse，inorderthatshemaynotgoawaytocarrythediseaseelsewhere。Donotexaggeratetoyourselfthedangerwhichwillresulttothechild。Iam，intruth，extremelymovedbyyoursuffering，andIwilldoeverything——Iswearittoyou——thatyourbabymayrecoverasquicklyaspossibleitsperfecthealth。I

hopetosucceed，andthatsoon。AndnowImustleaveyouuntiltomorrow。"

"Thankyou，Doctor，thankyou，"saidMadameDupont，faintly。

Theyoungmanroseandaccompaniedthedoctortothedoor。Hecouldnotbringhimselftospeak，butstoodhanginghisheaduntiltheotherwasgone。Thenhecametohismother。Hesoughttoembraceher，butsherepelledhim——withoutviolence，butfirmly。

Hersonsteppedbackandputhishandsoverhisface。"Forgiveme!"hesaid，inabrokenvoice。"Arewenotunhappyenough，withouthatingeachother？"

Hismotheranswered："Godhaspunishedyouforyourdebauchbystrikingatyourchild。"

But，grief—strickenastheyoungmanwas，hecouldnotbelievethat。"Impossible!"hesaid。"ThereisnotevenamansufficientlywickedorunjusttocommittheactwhichyouattributetoyourGod!"

"Yes，"saidhismother，sadly，"youbelieveinnothing。"

"IbelieveinnosuchGodasthat，"heanswered。

Asilencefollowed。Whenitwasbroken，itwasbytheentranceofthenurse。Shehadopenedthedooroftheroomandhadbeenstandingthereforsomemoments，unheeded。Finallyshesteppedforward。"Madame，"shesaid，"Ihavethoughtitover；Iwouldrathergobacktomyhomeatonce，andhaveonlythefivehundredfrancs。"

MadameDupontstaredatherinconsternation。"Whatisthatyouaresaying？Youwanttoreturntoyourhome？"

"Yes，ma’am，"wastheanswer。

"But，"criedGeorge，"onlytenminutesagoyouwerenotthinkingofit。"

"Whathashappenedsincethen？"demandedMadameDupont。

"Ihavethoughtitover。"

"Thoughtitover？"

"Well，Iamgettinglonesomeformylittleoneandformyhusband。"

"Inthelasttenminutes？"exclaimedGeorge。

"Theremustbesomethingelse，"hismotheradded。"Evidentlytheremustbesomethingelse。"

"No!"insistedthenurse。

"ButIsayyes!"

"Well，I’mafraidtheairofParismightnotbegoodforme。"

"Youhadbetterwaitandtryit。"

"Iwouldrathergobackatoncetomyhome。"

"Come，now，"criedMadameDupont，"telluswhy？"

"Ihavetoldyou。Ihavethoughtitover。"

"Thoughtwhatover？"

"Well，Ihavethought。"

"Oh，"criedthemother，"whatastupidreply!’Ihavethoughtitover!Ihavethoughtitover!’ThoughtWHATover，Iwanttoknow!"

"Well，everything。"

"Don’tyouknowhowtotelluswhat？"

"Itellyou，everything。"

"Why，"exclaimedMadameDupont，"youareanimbecile!"

Georgesteppedbetweenhismotherandthenurse。"Letmetalktoher，"hesaid。

Thewomancamebacktoheroldformula："Iknowthatwe’reonlypoorcountrypeople。"

"Listentome，nurse，"saidtheyoungman。"Onlyalittlewhileagoyouwereafraidthatwewouldsendyouaway。Youweresatisfiedwiththewageswhichmymotherhadfixed。Inadditiontothosewageswehadpromisedyouagoodsumwhenyoureturnedtoyourhome。Nowyoutellusthatyouwanttogoaway。Yousee？Allatonce。Theremustbesomereason；letusunderstandit。Theremustcertainlybeareason。Hasanybodydoneanythingtoyou？"

"No，sir，"saidthewoman，droppinghereyes。

"Well，then？"

"Ihavethoughtitover。"

Georgeburstout，"Don’tgoonrepeatingalwaysthesamething——

’Ihavethoughtitover!’That’snottellingusanything。"

Controllinghimself，headded，gently，"Come，tellmewhyyouwanttogoaway？"

Therewasasilence。"Well？"hedemanded。

"Itellyou，Ihavethought——"

Georgeexclaimedindespair，"It’sasifoneweretalkingtoablockofwood!"

Hismothertookuptheconversationagain。"Youmustrealize，youhavenottherighttogoaway。"

Thewomananswered，"IWANTtogo。"

"ButIwillnotletyouleaveus。"

"No，"interruptedGeorgeangrily，"lethergo；wecannotfastenherhere。"

"Verywell，then，"criedtheexasperatedmother，"sinceyouwanttogo，go!ButIhavecertainlytherighttosaytoyouthatyouareasstupidastheanimalsonyourfarm!"

"Idon’tsaythatIamnot，"answeredthewoman。

"Iwillnotpayyouthemonthwhichhasjustbegun，andyouwillpayyourrailroadfareforyourself。"

Theotherdrewbackwithalookofanger。"Oho!"shecried。

"We’llseeaboutthat!"

"Yes，we’llseeaboutit!"criedGeorge。"Andyouwillgetoutofhereatonce。Takeyourselfoff——Iwillhavenomoretodowithyou。Goodevening。"

"No，George，"protestedhismother，"don’tlosecontrolofyourself。"Andthen，withagreateffortatcalmness，"Thatcannotbeserious，nurse!Answerme。"

"Iwouldrathergooffrightawaytomyhome，andonlyhavemyfivehundredfrancs。"

"WHAT？"criedGeorge，inconsternation。

"What’sthatyouaretellingme？"exclaimedMadameDupont。

"Fivehundredfrancs？"repeatedherson。

"Whatfivehundredfrancs？"echoedthemother。

"Thefivehundredfrancsyoupromisedme，"saidthenurse。

"Wehavepromisedyoufivehundredfrancs？WE？"

"Yes。"

"Whenthechildshouldbeweaned，andifweshouldbesatisfiedwithyou!Thatwasourpromise。"

"No。YousaidyouwouldgivethemtomewhenIwasleaving。NowIamleaving，andIwantthem。"

MadameDupontdrewherselfup，haughtily。"Inthefirstplace，"

shesaid，"kindlyobligemebyspeakingtomeinanothertone；doyouunderstand？"

Thewomananswered，"Youhavenothingtodobutgivememymoney，andIwillsaynothingmore。"

Georgewentalmostbesidehimselfwithrageatthis。"Oh，it’slikethat？"heshouted。"Verywell；I’llshowyou!"Andhesprangtothedoorandopenedit。

Butthenurseneverbudged。"Givememyfivehundredfrancs!"

shesaid。

Georgeseizedherbythearmandshovedhertowardthedoor。

"Youclearoutofhere，doyouunderstandme？Andasquicklyasyoucan!"

Thewomanshookherarmloose，andsneeredintohisface。"Comenow，you——youcantalktomealittlemorepolitely，eh？"

"Willyougo？"shoutedGeorge，completelybesidehimself。"Willyougo，ormustIgooutandlookforapoliceman？"

"Apoliceman!"demandedthewoman。"Forwhat？"

"Toputyououtside!Youarebehavingyourselflikeathief。"

"Athief？I？Whatdoyoumean？"

"Imeanthatyouaredemandingmoneywhichdoesn’tbelongtoyou。"

"Morethanthat，"brokeinMadameDupont，"youaredestroyingthatpoorlittlebaby!Youareawickedwoman!"

"Iwillputyououtmyself!"shoutedGeorge，andseizedherbythearmagain。

"Oh，it’slikethat，isit？"retortedthenurse。"ThenyoureallywantmetotellyouwhyIamgoingaway？"

"Yes，tellme!"criedhe。

Hismotheradded，"Yes，yes!"

ShewouldhavespokendifferentlyhadshechancedtolookbehindherandseenHenriette，whoatthatmomentappearedinthedoorway。Shehadbeenabouttogoout，whenherattentionhadbeencaughtbytheloudvoices。Shestoodnow，amazed，claspingherhandstogether，whilethenurse，shakingherfistfirstatMadameDupontandthenatherson，criedloudly，"Verywell!I’mgoingawaybecauseIdon’twanttocatchafilthydiseasehere!"

"HUSH!"criedMadameDupont，andsprangtowardher，herhandsclenchedasifshewouldchokeher。

"Besilent!"criedGeorge，wildwithterror。

Butthewomanrushedonwithoutdroppinghervoice，"Oh，youneednotbetroublingyourselvesforfearanyoneshouldoverhear!Alltheworldknowsit!Yourotherservantswerelisteningwithmeatyourdoor!Theyheardeverywordyourdoctorsaid!"

"Shutup!"screamedGeorge。

Hermotherseizedthewomanfiercelybythearm。"Holdyourtongue!"shehissed。

Butagaintheothershookherselfloose。Shewaspowerful，andnowherragewasnottobecontrolled。Shewavedherhandsintheair，shouting，"Letmebe，letmebe!Iknowallaboutyourbrat——thatyouwillneverbeabletoraiseit——thatit’srottenbecauseit’sfatherhasafilthydiseasehegotfromawomanofthestreet!"

Shegotnofarther。ShewasinterruptedbyafrenziedshriekfromHenriette。Thethreeturned，horrified，justintimetoseeherfallforwarduponthefloor，convulsed。

"MyGod!"criedGeorge。Hesprangtowardher，andtriedtolifther，butsheshrankfromhim，repellinghimwithagestureofdisgust，ofhatred，ofthemostprofoundterror。"Don’ttouchme!"shescreamed，likeamaniac。"Don’ttouchme!"

CHAPTERV

ItwasinvainthatMadameDupontsoughttocontrolherdaughter—

in—law。Henriettewasbesideherself，frantic，shecouldnotbebroughttolistentoanyone。Sherushedintotheotherroom，andwhentheolderwomanfollowedher，shriekedouttobeleftalone。Afterwards，shefledtoherownroomandbarredherselfin，andGeorgeandhismotherwaiteddistractedlyforhoursuntilsheshouldgivesomesign。

Wouldshekillherself，perhaps？MadameDuponthoveredonguardaboutthedoorofthenurseryforfearthatthemotherinherfitofinsanitymightattemptsomeharmtoherchild。

Thenursehadslunkawayabashedwhenshesawtheconsequencesofheroutburst。Bythetimeshehadgotherbelongingspacked，shehadrecoveredherassurance。Shewantedherfivehundred；alsoshewantedherwagesandherrailroadfarehome。Shewantedthematonce，andshewouldnotleaveuntilshegotthem。Georgeandhismother，inthemidstofalltheiranguishofmind，hadtogothroughadisgustingscenewiththiscoarseandangrywoman。

Theyhadnosuchsumofmoneyinthehouse，andthenurserefusedtoacceptacheck。Sheknewnothingaboutacheck。Itwassomuchpaper，andmightbesometrickthattheywereplayingonher。Shekeptrepeatingheroldformula，"Iamnothingbutapoorcountrywoman。"Norwouldshebecontentedwiththepromisethatshewouldreceivethemoneythenextday。Sheseemedtobeafraidthatifsheleftthehouseshewouldbesurrenderingherclaim。SoatlastthedistractedGeorgetosallyforthandobtainthecashfromsometradesmenintheneighborhood。

Thewomantookherdeparture。Theymadehersignareceiptinfullforallclaimsandtheystrovetopersuadethemselvesthatthismadethemsafe；butintheirheartstheyhadnorealconvictionofsafety。Whatwasthewoman’ssignature，orherpledgedword，againstthecupidityofherhusbandandrelatives。

Alwaysshewouldhavethedreadfulsecrettoholdoverthem，andsotheywouldliveundertheshadowofpossibleblackmail。

LaterinthedayHenriettesentforhermother—in—law。Shewaswhite，hereyeswereswollenwithweeping，andshespokeinavoicechokedwithsobs。Shewishedtoreturnatoncetoherfather’shome，andtotakelittleGervaisewithher。MadameDupontcriedoutinhorroratthisproposition，andarguedandpleadedandwept——butalltonopurpose。Thegirlwasimmovable。

Shewouldnotstayunderherhusband’sroof，andshewouldtakeherchildwithher。Itwasherright，andnoonecouldrefuseher。

Theinfanthadbeencryingforhours，butthatmadenodifference。Henrietteinsistedthatacabshouldbecalledatonce。

SoshewentbacktothehomeofMonsieurLochesandtoldhimthehideousstory。Neverbeforeinherlifehadshediscussedsuchsubjectswithanyone，butnowinheragitationshetoldherfatherall。AsGeorgehaddeclaredtothedoctor，MonsieurLocheswasapersonofviolenttemper；atthisrevelation，atthesightofhisdaughter’sagony，hewasalmostbesidehimself。Hisfaceturnedpurple，theveinsstoodoutonhisforehead；atremblingseizedhim。HedeclaredthathewouldkillGeorge——

therewasnothingelsetodo。Suchascoundrelshouldnotbepermittedtolive。

TheeffortwhichHenriettehadtomaketorestrainhimhadacalmingeffectuponherself。Bitterandindignantasshewas，shedidnotwantGeorgetobekilled。Sheclungtoherfather，beseechinghimtopromiseherthathewouldnotdosuchathing；

andallthatdayandeveningshewatchedhim，unwillingtolethimoutofhersight。

Therewasamatterwhichclaimedherimmediateattention，andwhichhelpedtowithdrawthemfromthecontemplationoftheirownsufferings。Theinfantmustbefedandcaredfor——theunhappyvictimofotherpeople’ssins，whoselifewasnowimperiled。A

drynursemustbefoundatonce，anursecompetenttotakeeveryprecautionandgivethechildeverychance。Thisnursemustbeinformedofthenatureofthetrouble——anothermatterwhichrequiredagreatdealofanxiousthought。

ThateveningcameMadameDupont，tormentedbyanxietyaboutthechild’swelfare，andbeseechingpermissiontohelptakecareofit。Itwasimpossibletorefusesucharequest。Henriettecouldnotenduretoseeher，butthepoorgrandmotherwouldcomeandsitforhoursinthenursery，watchingthechildandthenurse，insilentagony。

Thiscontinuedfordays，whilepoorGeorgewanderedaboutathome，sufferingsuchtormentofmindascanhardlybeimagined。

Truly，inthesedayshepaidforhissins；hepaidathousand—

foldinagonizedandimpotentregret。Helookedbackuponthecourseofhislife，andtracedonebyonetheactswhichhadledhimandthosehelovedintothisnightmareoftorment。Hewouldhavebeenwillingtogivehislifeifhecouldhaveundonethoseacts。Butavengingnatureofferedhimnosucheasydeliveranceasthat。WeshudderaswereadthegrimwordsoftheJehovahoftheancientHebrews；andyetnotallthelearningofmoderntimeshasavailedtodeliverusfromthecrueldecree，thatthesinsofthefathersshallbevisiteduponthechildren。

Georgewrotenotestohiswife，imploringherforgiveness。Hepouredoutallhisagonyandshametoher，begginghertoseehimjustonce，togivehimachancetopleadhisdefense。Itwasnotmuchofadefense，tobesure；itwasonlythathehaddonenoworsethantheothersdid——onlythathewasawretchedvictimofignorance。Buthelovedher，hehadproventhathelovedher，andhepleadedthatforthesakeoftheirchildshewouldforgivehim。

Whenallthisavailednothing，hewenttoseethedoctor，whoseadvicehehadsoshamefullyneglected。Hebesoughtthismantointercedeforhim——whichthedoctor，ofcourse，refusedtodo。

Itwasanextra—medicalmatter，hesaid，andGeorgewasabsurdtoexpecthimtomeddleinit。

But，asamatteroffact，thedoctorhadalreadybeeninterceding——hehadgonefartherinpleadingGeorge’scausethanhewaswillingtohaveGeorgeknow。ForMonsieurLocheshadpaidhimavisit——hispurposebeingtoaskthedoctortocontinueattendanceupontheinfant，andalsotogiveHenrietteacertificatewhichshecoulduseinhersuitforadivorcefromherhusband。

Soinevitablytherehadbeenadiscussionofthewholequestionbetweenthetwomen。Thedoctorhadgrantedthefirstrequest，butrefusedthesecond。Inthefirstplace，hesaid，therewasaruleofprofessionalsecrecywhichwouldpreventhim。Andwhenthefather—in—lawrequestedtoknowiftheruleofprofessionalsecrecycompelledhimtoprotectacriminalagainsthonestpeople，thedoctoransweredthatevenifhisethicspermittedit，hewouldstillrefusetherequest。"Iwouldreproachmyselfforever，"hesaid，"ifIhadaidedyoutoobtainsuchadivorce。"

"Then，"criedtheoldman，vehemently，"becauseyouprofesssuchandsuchtheories，becausetheexerciseofyourprofessionmakesyoutheconstantwitnessofsuchmiseries——thereforeitisnecessarythatmydaughtershouldcontinuetobearthatman’snameallherlife!"

Thedoctoranswered，gently，"Sir，Iunderstandandrespectyourgrief。Butbelieveme，youarenotinastateofmindtodecideaboutthesemattersnow。"

"Youaremistaken，"declaredtheother，controllinghimselfwithaneffort。"Ihavebeenthinkingaboutnothingelsefordays。I

havediscusseditwithmydaughter，andsheagreeswithme。