Page:The Rejuvenation Of Miss Semaphore.pdf/129

 *—it's a little girl, isn't it?—as'll give her a mother's care and love; and take her I can't, ma'am, for less than a premium of fifty pounds down an' a weekly payment of one pound."

"It seems a good deal for a baby."

"No, ma'am, it's not a good deal, It's cheap, too cheap maybe, but I've my nater'l feelings, an' I've took to the child, so I'm makin' terms for you an' your sister as I wouldn't for another lydy in a similar case."

"Well, unfortunately," said Prudence timidly, "I did not expect to have to pay so much, and only brought a smaller sum with me."

"How much?" asked good Mrs. Brown briefly.

"Twenty pounds," said Prudence. "You see I never had to—was concerned in—I mean I never before had anything to do with babies, at least in this way, and I thought—that is to say, twenty pounds seemed a good deal, especially as I am to make you regular weekly payments as well."

"Twenty pounds!" shrieked Mrs. Brown. "Is it twenty pounds for a mother's care and love and dooty, and a comfortable 'ome an' no unpleasant questions asked?"