You wish to earn your own livelihood, and perhaps marry some honest man hereafter." "Marry, sir--never!" said Alice, with great earnestness, her eyes filling with tears.
"And why ?" "Because I shall never see _him_ on earth, and they do not marry in heaven, sir." The banker was moved, for he was not worse than his neighbours, though trying to make them believe he was so much better.
"Well, time enough to talk of that; but in the meanwhile you would support yourself ?" "Yes, sir.

His child ought to be a burden to none--nor I either.

I once wished to die, but then who would love my little one?
Now I wish to live." "But what mode of livelihood would you prefer?
Would you go into a family, in some capacity ?--not that of a servant--you are too delicate for that." "Oh, no--no!" "But, again, why ?" asked the banker, soothingly, yet surprised.
"Because," said Alice, almost solemnly, "there are some hours when I feel I must be alone.

I sometimes think I am not all right _here_," and she touched her forehead.

"They called me an idiot before I knew _him_!--No, I could not live with others, for I can only cry when nobody but my child is with me." This was said with such unconscious, and therefore with such pathetic, simplicity, that the banker was sensibly affected.