"'Ear me out, missis. I want you to explain to my sister that you can get her a situation as a wet-nurse at a pound a week--that's the usual money they gets, so I told her, but she won't believe me; but if you tells her, she'll give me two pounds and I shall be able to go with father to Australia, where they says there is fine chances for a girl." The matron examined in critical disdain the vague skirt, the broken boots, and the misshapen hat, coming all the while to rapid conclusions regarding the moral value of this unabashed child of the gutter. "I think your sister will be very foolish if she gives you her money." "Oh, don't say that, missis, don't." "How does she know that your story is true? Perhaps you are not going to Australia at all." "Perhaps I'm not--that's just what I'm afraid of; but father is, and I can prove it to you. I've brought a letter from father--'ere it is; now, is that good enough for yer?" "Come, no impertinence, or I'll order you out of the hospital in double quick time," said the matron. "I didn't intend no impertinence," said Jenny humbly, "only I didn't like to be told I was telling lies when I was speaking the truth." "Well, I see that your father is going to Australia," the matron replied, returning the letter to Jenny; "you want your sister to give you her money to take you there too." "What I wants is for you to tell my sister that you can get her a situation as wet-nurse; then perhaps she'll give me the money." "If your sister wants to go out as wet-nurse, I daresay I could get her a pound a week." "But," said Esther, "I should have to put baby out at nurse." "You'll have to do that in any case," Jenny interposed; "you can't live for nine months on your savings and have all the nourishing food that you'll want to keep your milk going." "If I was yer sister I'd see yer further before I'd give yer my money. You must 'ave a cheek to come a-asking for it, to go off to Australia where a girl 'as chances, and yer sister with a child at the breast left behind. Well I never!" Jenny and the matron turned suddenly and looked at the woman in the opposite bed who had so unexpectedly expressed her views. Jenny was furious. "What odds is it to you?" she screamed; "what business is it of yours, coming poking your nose in my affairs?" "Come, now, I can't have any rowing," exclaimed the matron. "Rowing! I should like to know what business it is of 'ers." "Hush, hush, I can't have you interfering with my patients; another word and I'll order you out of the hospital." "Horder me out of the horspital! and what for? Who began it? No, missis, be fair; wait until my sister gives her answer." "Well, then, she must be quick about it--I can't wait about here all day." "I'll give my sister the money to take her to Australia if you say you can get me a situation as wet-nurse."