ig, sturdy young woman of monumental appearance. Nevertheless, for two
months past Andree, the baby, had been pining away, and the doctor had
discovered, by analyzing the nurse's milk, that it was deficient in
nutriment. Thus the child was simply perishing of starvation. To change
a nurse is a terrible thing, and the Seguins' house was in a tempestuous
state. The husband rushed hither and thither, banging the doors and
declaring that he would never more occupy himself about anything.

"And so," added Boutan, "I have now been instructed to choose a fresh
nurse. And it is a pressing matter, for I am really feeling anxious
about that poor little Andree."

"But why did not the mother nurse her child?" asked Mathieu.

The doctor made a gesture of despair. "Ah! my dear fellow, you ask me
too much. But how would you have a Parisienne of the wealthy bourgeoisie
undertake the duty, the long brave task of nursing a child, when she
leads the life she does, what with receptions and dinners and soirees,
and absences and social obligations of all sorts? That little Madame
Seguin is simply trifling when she puts on an air of deep distress and
says that she would so much have liked to nurse her infant, but that
it was impossible since she had no milk. She never even tried! When her
first child was born she could doubtless have nursed it. But to-day,
with the imbecile, spoilt life she leads, it is quite certain that she
is incapable of making such an effort. The worst is, my dear fellow,
as any doctor will tell you, that after three or four generations of
mothers who do not feed their children there comes a generation that
cannot do so. And so, my friend, we are fast coming, not only in France,
but in other countries where the odious wet-nurse system is in vogue, to
a race of wretched, degenerate women, who will be absolutely powerless
to nourish their offspring."

Mathieu then remembered what he had witnessed at Madame Bourdieu's and
the Foundling Hospital. And he imparted his impressions to Boutan,
who again made a despairing gesture. There was a great work of
social salvation to be accomplished, said he. No doubt a number of
philanthropists were trying their best to improve things, but private
effort could not cope with such widespread need. There must be general
measures; laws must be passed to save the nation. The mother must be
protected and helped, even in secrecy, if she asked for it; she must be
cared for, succored, from the