PAGE 14
Fanny McDermot
by
“Pride, pride! Why, you foolish child, don’t you know that ‘ after all, ‘ as you call it, there is but one kind of service left for you? Ladies won’t take the like of us into their houses.”
“The like of us,” thought Fanny, and shuddered.
“They are dreadful partic’lar about any little false step of their own sex. If you but dampen the soles of your feet, it is as bad as if you are up to your neck in the mire; but men may plunge in over their head and ears, and they are just as welcome to their houses, and as good husbands for their daughters, as your Josephs—”
“Is it so? Can it be? I do not know what will become of me! Oh, baby, baby! But may I stay here to-night?”
“Why, yes; but you must be off pretty early, for there’s a lady coming to look at the rooms at ten.”
Poor Fanny, left alone, sank on her knees, with one arm round her sleeping baby, and sent out from her penitent and humble heart, a cry for forgiveness and pity, that we doubt not was heard by Him whose compassions fail not. She then threw herself on the bed and fell asleep. Thank God, no degree of misery can drive sleep away from a wearied young creature.
The next morning she laid her plans, and strengthening her good resolutions by prayer, she went forth feeling a new strength; and having paid the fee with two of the only four shillings left to her, to the master of an intelligence office, who stared curiously at her, she received references to three ladies—”the very first-rate of places, all,” as the man assured her. She first went to a lady who wanted a wet nurse as a supplement to her own scanty supplies. She met a young lady in the hall, whom she heard say to her mother, “Oh, mamma! such a pretty young creature has come for wet nurse to sis—do take her.” Fanny was called in, and having given satisfactory answers as to her supplies, she was asked for references. She immediately did what she had before purposed, and confessing she had no references to give, told truly so much of her sad story as explained her present position. The lady heard her through, possibly not believing a word she said, but the fact of her transgression; and when she had finished, she said to her, “Did you really expect that such a person as you could get a place in a respectable family?” She rung the bell, and added coolly, “Thomas, show this person out. This is the last time I go to an intelligence office.”
Poor Fanny sighed as she left the door, but pressing her baby to her bosom, she said softly, “We’ll not be discouraged with one failure, will we, baby?” The child smiled on her, and she went on with a lighter step. Her next application was to a milliner, whom the master of the intelligence office had told her “was a very strict religious lady, who says she is very particular about the reputation of her girls.” It is close by, thought Fanny.”I have but little hope, but I must save my steps, and I will go to her.” Again, bravely and simply she told the truth. The milliner heard her with raised brows.”I am sorry for you, if you tell the truth, young woman,” she said.”I know this city is a dreadful place for unprincipled girls, and I make it a rule never to take any such into my establishment. I hope you do mean to reform, but I can do nothing for you; I advise you to apply to the Magdalen Society.”