"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。