r room, smaller, and still more crowded with plush and gold
frames. Dr. Merkle was a plump woman with small bright eyes, an immense
mass of black hair coming down low on her forehead, and unnaturally
white and even teeth. She wore a rich black dress, with gold chains
and charms hanging from her bosom. Her hands were large and smooth, and
quick in all their movements; and she smelt of musk and carbolic acid.

She smiled on Charity with all her faultless teeth. "Sit down, my
dear. Wouldn't you like a little drop of something to pick you
up?... No.... Well, just lay back a minute then.... There's nothing to
be done just yet; but in about a month, if you'll step round again... I
could take you right into my own house for two or three days, and there
wouldn't be a mite of trouble. Mercy me! The next time you'll know
better'n to fret like this...."

Charity gazed at her with widening eyes. This woman with the false hair,
the false teeth, the false murderous smile--what was she offering her
but immunity from some unthinkable crime? Charity, till then, had
been conscious only of a vague self-disgust and a frightening physical
distress; now, of a sudden, there came to her the grave surprise of
motherhood. She had come to this dreadful place because she knew of no
other way of making sure that she was not mistaken about her state;
and the woman had taken her for a miserable creature like Julia.... The
thought was so horrible that she sprang up, white and shaking, one of
her great rushes of anger sweeping over her.

Dr. Merkle, still smiling, also rose. "Why do you run off in such a
hurry? You can stretch out right here on my sofa...." She paused, and
her smile grew more motherly. "Afterwards--if there's been any talk at
home, and you want to get away for a while... I have a lady friend in
Boston who's looking for a companion... you're the very one to suit her,
my dear...."

Charity had reached the door. "I don't want to stay. I don't want to
come back here," she stammered, her hand on the knob; but with a swift
movement, Dr. Merkle edged her from the threshold.

"Oh, very well. Five dollars, please."

Charity looked helplessly at the doctor's tight lips and rigid face.
Her last savings had gone in repaying Ally for the cost of Miss Balch's
ruined blouse, and she had had to borrow four dollars from her friend
to pay for her railway ticket and cover the doctor's fee. It had never
occurred to her that medical advice could cost