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Now Prudy’s in the tub, war water over her back "Is your pain less, Prudy? I haven’t heard you cry for a while"

"Yes It must be the ater Here comes another one!" She throws her head back and co her with a copper dipper as fast as I can, and this ti, only a low "Muhhhhhhh!"

Her otten nant cow, and she needs to be fed and watered I know only one person I can ask for help, and

"Bitsy," I call She’s still in the bedroo low, and for the first time I realize why Her presence here is aith the society woo, she served them tea in the MacIntoshes’ parlor

"Can you sit with Prudy? Just pour water over her back and shoulders when she has a pain She’ll tell you what she wants"

I trot downstairs, and when I enter the kitchen, all heads go up Becky, at the sink, half turns Mr Ott is there too, and he drags hiton Tiarette in the corner of hiswith her The bath is relaxing her Do you have a phone?" I spit this all out in a hurry because I want to get back to my patient

"Well, I never," I hear Mrs Wade whisper "Taking a bath in labor, and that nigger girl with her!"

I stea in a fight It wouldn’t change their minds anyway Black and white ether for decades, but these upper-class woro servant, either, in inia faht have a cook and a hired hand, usually someone off of a farm and most likely white

Mr Ott scrapes his chair back and walks et someone to take care of my livestock" I say this as if I have a whole herd, when really it’s only Moonlight and the chicks Taking hold of the crank, I twist it three times the way I saw Hester do A wouess at the naht "This is Patience Murphy, the midwife I’m at Mr Ott’s home I need to speak to Daniel Hester, the veterinarian on Salt Lick I don’t know the nu in the background and then four short rings The vet finally answers

"Hester here Large and Se and Small Women" I can’t help it It’s funny

"Patience?" I like it that he uses my first name

"Sorry Just a little joke Listen, Bitsy and I are in Liberty with a patient in labor The woht, and--well, I hate to do this, but you’re the only one I know to ask Could you go over and feed and water Moonlight? Since she’s with child, I don’t want her to have to go hungry all night"

"With child?"

"You knohat I mean I’ll repay you whatever you want" I rephrase this "I ency call or whatever"