I walked up the dark stairs until I came to the third floor, and knocked at the door of the only room in which there was a light. Blade-o'-Grass came to the door, and opened it. She curtseyed when she saw me, and asked me to come in. There was some anxiety in her face, but this was no new phase in her. I asked after the child. 'It's that as troubles me, sir,' she said. 'Come and look at it.' The child was lying on the bed, with its eyes closed. Blade-o'-Grass touched her, and she opened her eyes; but there was no sign of recognition in her face, and no smile or look of gladness as the mother leaned over her. The expression was one of settled mournfulness; it appeared to me as if neither pain nor joy could affect it. 'She's been like this, sir,' whispered Blade-o'-Grass, 'for nigh on a week, and I don't know what to make of it. She lays there for hours without movin' and without speakin'. She don't complain a bit; but it can't be right, can it, sir? Speak to me, my life! Speak to me!' But the child made no response to these and other endearing words; a mournful lethargy had fallen upon her, and she lay like one in a trance. 'She takes her food?' 'Yes, sir, but not much; she don't seem to care for it. She don't arks for none.' 'Has any doctor been to see her?' 'I've got no money, sir.' I knew of a doctor of fair repute who was popular among the poor, and whose charge was eighteenpence a visit, with medicine included. I gave Blade-o'-Grass three shillings, and told her it would pay for two visits. She thanked me with tears in her eyes, and said that she would run for the doctor immediately I was gone. 'I wish to say a few words to you first, my dear; I will not detain you long.' She placed a chair for me, and stood before me. 'Where is Tom?' I asked. 'I don't know, sir; I ain't seed 'im all day.' 'It is about him I wish to speak, Blade-o'-Grass.' She looked distressed; but I was not to be discouraged. 'Is it not possible,' I continued, 'for him to get a living in any other way than the way he does?' ''Ow do I know, sir? I think Tom 'd do anythink to earn a pound a week. A pound a week! 'Ow 'appy we should be then! But 'ow's he to do it, sir? Tell us the way, sir.' 'Nay,' I said, 'he must find the way himself----' She interrupted me impatiently. 'If I didn't know as you was a good friend to me, sir, I should think as you was mockin' of me, like the others. Don't you say it all over agin, sir!' she entreated, with a nervous movement of the hands. 'It makes me sick and mad-like! I've 'eerd it a 'underd times afore, and every time I arks which way we're to turn, I'm told that we've got to find out the way for ourselves.' She looked towards her child, and I saw that she was anxious to go for the doctor. It would have been cruel to continue the theme then; but I could not leave her without carrying out my intention. I asked her if she had ever been to church. 'Once,' she answered.