“Same as your mending stockings for the girls here, I’m stitchin’ blankets for the foundlings next door.”
Charlotte looked in the direction of the girl’s nod.
“You didn’t know about the foundling ward?” Becky asked.
Charlotte shook her head. “I did wonder what was in the other wing.”
“Sure and what did you think happened to all the babes born here?” Bess asked brusquely, coming to the table with a teacup in her hand.
“I don’t know. I had not thought ...”
“They just keep infants here ’til they’re weaned,” Becky explained. “Then they’re moved to the big foundling hospital up on Guildford Street.”
“Don’t some girls take their infants home with them?”
“Is that whatyou’regoing to do?” Bess asked skeptically, sitting down across from her.
“No. Not home. I am not ... quite sure where yet.”
Two other girls walked to the table together, tall flaxen-haired Sally towering over petite auburn-haired Mae. They sat down on either side of Charlotte.
“Well, I know where I’ll be,” Becky said. “Back in the workhouse soon as my time’s up.”
“But ... what about ...”
Bess broke in, “Don’t you be judging her or any of us.”
“I did not mean to. I am only surprised.”
“Some of us haven’t any choice,” Sally said quietly, eyes on her tea.
“But ... to leave one’s child in the care of strangers. It is something I could never do.”
“Oh, don’t be too sure,” Bess said. “Never can tell what a body might do for love or money.”
“Or to keep body and soul together,” Mae added.
“My mum can barely feed my brothers and sisters,” Becky said.
“She sure don’t need another mouth to feed.”
“How old are you, Becky?” Charlotte asked.
“Fourteen.”
“So young.”
Becky shrugged. “About my mum’s age when she had me.”
“And you, Sally,” Charlotte asked, “what will you do?”
“I already had me boy two months ago now. I’m a wet nurse in the foundling ward. Didn’t you know?”
“No, I ...”
“Guess I haven’t me figure back if you thought me still in my lying-in! I best lay off those jam tarts.”
Bess and Mae laughed.
