At that moment a knock was heard and the housemaid came in.
"The woman who has charge of your baby has come to see you."
Esther started up from her chair, and fat little Mrs. Spires waddled into
the room, the ends of her shawl touching the ground.
"Where is my baby?" said Esther. "Why haven't you brought him?"
"Why, you see, my dear, the sweet little thing didn't seem as well as
usual this afternoon, and I did not care to bring him out, it being a long
way and a trifle cold.... It is nice and warm in here. May I sit down?"
"Yes, there's a chair; but tell me what is the matter with him?"
"A little cold, dear--nothing to speak of. You must not excite yourself,
it isn't worth while; besides, it's bad for you and the little darling in
the cradle. May I have a look?... A little girl, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is a girl."
"And a beautiful little girl too. 'Ow 'ealthy she do look! I'll be bound
you have made a difference in her. I suppose you are beginning to like her
just as if she was your own?"
Esther did not answer.
"Yer know, all you girls are dreadful taken with their babies at first.
But they is a awful drag on a girl who gets her living in service. For my
part I do think it providential-like that rich folk don't nurse their own.
If they did, I dunno what would become of all you poor girls.
Pages:
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214