"Well," said Mr. Trubner, "have you discharged her? I leave all these
things to you."
"She has told me her story; she is trying to bring up her child on her
wages.... She said if she was kept from earning her bread she didn't know
what would become of her. Her position is a very terrible one."
"I know that.... But we can't have loose women about the place. They all
can tell a fine story; the world is full of impostors."
"I don't think the girl is an impostor."
"Very likely not, but everyone has a right to protect themselves."
"Don't speak so loud, Harold," said Mrs. Trubner, lowering her voice.
"Remember her child is dependent upon her; if we send her away we don't
know what may happen. I'll pay her a month's wages if you like, but you
must take the responsibility."
"I won't take any responsibility in the matter. If she had been here two
years--she has only been here a year--not so much more--and had proved a
satisfactory servant, I don't say that we'd be justified in sending her
away.... There are plenty of good girls who want a situation as much as
she. I don't see why we should harbour loose women when there are so many
deserving cases."
"Then you want me to send her away?"
"I don't want to interfere; you ought to know how to act. Supposing the
same thing were to happen again? My cousins, young men, coming to the
house--"
"But she won't see them.
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