The conversation was agreeably interrupted by a loud knock at the door.
A woman had come to say that he was wanted that moment for a lady of
title in Gloucester Place, hard by.
"I will come," said he, with admirably affected indifference; and, as
soon as the woman was out of sight, husband and wife embraced each
other.
"Pray God it may all go well, for your sake and hers, poor lady."
Mr. Boddington hurried to the number in Gloucester Place. The door was
opened by the charwoman.
He asked her with some doubt if that was the house.
The woman said yes, and she believed it was a surprise. The lady was
from the country, and was looking out for some servants.
This colloquy was interrupted by an intelligent maid, who asked, over
the balusters, if that was the medical man; and, on the woman's saying
it was, begged him to step upstairs at once.
He found his patient attended only by her maid, but she was all
discretion, and intelligence. She said he had only to direct her, she
would do anything for her dear mistress.
Mr. Boddington said a single zealous and intelligent woman, who could
obey orders, was as good as a number, or better.
He then went gently to the bedside, and his experience told him at once
that the patient was in labor.
He told the attendant so, and gave her his directions.
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