Lyddie is so taken aback by the interview when Mr. Marsden brings her before the company agent that she is speechless. Mr. Marsden accuses her of "moral turpitude," and she does not know what "turpitude" means. She is too embarrassed, of course, to ask them. The agent takes her silence as an admission of guilt, and before she knows it, she has been given her final pay with no honorable discharge, so she will be...
Lyddie is so taken aback by the interview when Mr. Marsden brings her before the company agent that she is speechless. Mr. Marsden accuses her of "moral turpitude," and she does not know what "turpitude" means. She is too embarrassed, of course, to ask them. The agent takes her silence as an admission of guilt, and before she knows it, she has been given her final pay with no honorable discharge, so she will be unable to get work at any other factory in town.
Feeling disgraced and defeated, she goes back to her room and packs her things. She explains to an incredulous Mrs. Bedlow that she has been let go, but not why. She then goes to the bank to withdraw her money and then to the bookstore, where she purchases a copy of Oliver Twist for Brigid and a dictionary. She is incensed when she learns that "turpitude" means having a "vile or shameful character." Back in her room, she quickly pens two letters.
She then stops to see Brigid at her home. She tells her that she has written to Mr. Marsden to say that if he ever bothers Brigid again, Lyddie will tell his wife "exactly what happened in the weaving room." She gives the second letter to Brigid, telling her to mail it to Mrs. Marsden if Mr. Marsden ever makes unwanted advances toward her again. After giving Brigid the book and saying good-bye, she accosts Mr. Marsden as he leaves the factory. She tells him she is not guilty of moral turpitude and then hands him the letter, telling him what it says. After that, she takes a stage to Boston to visit Diana.
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