I was exposed to great temptation in my day; but I never
disgraced myself by the like o' that."
"Oh, you were very good, I dare say," said Mary, coaxingly; "and I will
think you the best and kindest woman that ever lived, if you will but
let me see the poor babe."
"What good will it do you to see it? it will only make you fret. You
ought to thank God that it is gone. It was a mercy you had no right to
expect. You are now just as good as ever you were. You can go into a
gentleman's service, and hold up your head with the best of them. I
would not stay here, if I were you, to be kicked and ordered about by
that wicked brother of yours, nor wait, like a slave, upon this Mr.
Godfrey. What is he now? not a bit better than one of us. Not a shilling
has he to bless himself with, and I am sure he does not care one
farthing for you, and will be glad that the child is off his hands."
"Oh, he loves me; indeed, indeed, he loves me and the child. Oh, he will
grieve for the child. Mrs. Strawberry, if ever you were a mother
yourself, have pity upon me, and show me the baby."
She caught the woman by the hand, and looked up in her face with such
an expression of longing intense desire, that, harsh as she was, it
melted her stony heart; and, going to a closet, she returned with the
babe in her arms. It was dressed in its little cap, and long white
night-gown--a cold image of purity and perfect peace.
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