moonlight. "But what was the difficulty?"

"Well, you know, being so really fond of her, and all that--wishing to
do it for the sake of her dear friend--what could I say, especially as
those women were killing the unfortunate brat between them? She was not
so very young, and was evidently clever at managing--"

"Yes," interposed Alice, smiling still.

"And peculiarly situated for undertaking the job, having a good home,
and only an old mother, who let her do what she liked. And awfully set
on the baby from the first, and wanting an object in life, as she said.
But chiefly it was for Lily's sake. To see Lily's child messed about by
just anybody, and killed with arrowroot and stuff, was more than she
could stand--to tell the truth, I couldn't stand it either--and she
begged me to let her have it to look after, as there was no female
friend or relative nearer to it than she was. What COULD I do? She
lived in a nice, healthy spot, and there was the old mother with her
experience, and I was obliged to go to sea; and--and--well, I just
had to say "yes", and be thankful to say it. We got the--the doctor
found a--we engaged the sort of nurse that does everything, you know--
a fine, strapping young woman, in the pink of condition; and--and--
well, there it was. And at the first blush the worst of the trouble
seemed over, instead of just beginning. I gave up my house, and went
off to sea, miserable enough, as you may suppose, but at least
with an easy mind about the boy. As far as he was concerned--as far as
my poor Lily was concerned, I felt I had acted for the best. Indeed, I
don't for the life of me understand how any man could have acted
otherwise, under the circumstances."