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I felt o, John? Can you not send someone?"

"I cannot wait!" he said, and ran down the stairs

I tied the dress htly about me and went to Cathy's door It stood ajar I pushed it open, calling her name

"Please, coh

She was on the balcony, standing at the railing I went to her side

"Are you well, Cathy? Is the child co so soon?"

"Only the waters have broken," she said "I have no pain as yet"

My heart slowed slightly "Oh John has gone for the doctor, and sent for the midwife"

"Yes Poor John! I sent Susan to tell him" She looked doetness puddled at her feet I stepped back,Her maid Susan cas, reaching down to remove the linen that was already there Susan tucked the clean one into its place

The htness Cathy's face was serene in the light

My face must have looked craven with fear; she touched hed softly

"All is well, dear," she said "It shall be over soon, and I shall hold my bairn at last!"

"Yes," I said weakly "All is well"

I felt IIbehind me as I sat, fearful that I would mistake myself and sit on the floor

There was no doubt ininsideexcept terror

_______________________

The night was long The midwife came, and Susan hardly left Cathy's side; but sometimes Cathy would call to , for she would not stay in one place for long The pains terrified me Cathy panted and moaned as the pain took her and sometimes she cried out When that happened I wished to be anywhere else in the world

"You should not be here, Jessie," she said between pains, tears flowing frolad that you are"

"I aain "I shall be the first to greet your child!"