Indigo Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page B

her head into Patrick’s shoulder. “Tomorrow…”
    Patrick stretched his arm around her, kissed the top of her head, and in minutes was asleep himself.
    Outside the snow fell, gently, silently.

A grievous burthen was thy birth to me.
    â€”William Shakespeare
    King Richard III , 1593
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    5
    T HE SCREAM RESOUNDED throughout the house. Hilda sat bolt upright. “Patrick! What is it?”
    Patrick, still half-asleep, threw back the covers and shivered in the cold. “Don’t know. Nothin’ good. You stay here.”
    Hilda was not about to be left alone. She pulled a robe over her gown and followed him into the hall.
    There were more cries, muffled now, more like sobs. They came from the spare room, where Norah slept. “She’s maybe cryin’ in her sleep,” said Patrick.
    Struck by sudden apprehension, Hilda put out her hand. “Patrick, let me go in. You summon Eileen—and Mrs. O’Rourke. I t’ink maybe—”
    The hallway was pitch dark, but Hilda felt her way to Norah’s door, tapped on it, and went in.
    The draperies weren’t quite closed, and the light reflected from the snow was enough that Hilda could see her friend, sitting up in bed and sobbing.
    Hilda went to her. “Norah, you are not to cry! You know Aunt Molly said—”
    â€œIt’s the baby! It’s comin’, and I think I’m bleedin’, and I’m so scared!”
    Hilda’s throat was suddenly dry, but she kept her head. She had been present at the birth of her younger siblings, and knew something about the matter. “We need light,” she said firmly.
    â€œDon’t leave me!”
    â€œOf course not!” Hilda went to the window and pulled the draperies open wide. She found the matches and lit the gas fixture on the wall. “Now let us see.”
    She pulled the covers back and inspected the bed. “There is almost no blood,” she said. “You are all right.”
    â€œBut I felt somethin’ gush out of me—”
    â€œYes. It is normal. It means the baby is on the way. We must send for the doctor.”
    Norah lay back down and moaned.
    â€œIs the pain bad?”
    â€œNo. Just like a bad backache, most of the time. But it’s too soon, Hilda! The doctor said another two weeks—”
    â€œDoctors do not always know everything, Norah—as you should know, with all your brothers and sisters. Babies come when they will.” Hilda wished fervently that this one hadn’t decided to come just now, but apparently it had, and they must all cope.
    Mrs. O’Rourke bustled in, followed by Eileen, wide-eyed.
    â€œNow, then, Miss Norah, let’s see what we have here. Excuse me, madam.” The cook, plainly in her element, elbowed Hilda aside and took charge. She prodded Norah’s swollen belly and examined her.
    â€œI will tell Patrick to phone for the doctor,” said Hilda.
    â€œThere’s no need for that just yet, madam,” said Mrs. O’Rourke with authority, “if you don’t mind my sayin’ so. I’ve had twelve of me own, and helped with as many more, and this one’s not comin’ yet awhile.”
    â€œBut it is maybe two weeks early, and an early baby—” Hilda broke off, not wanting to alarm Norah.
    â€œâ€™Tis a fine big baby, ready for the world,” said Mrs. O’Rourke. “And the way that snow’s comin’ down, the doctor’d not thank you for callin’ him out of his bed just yet. You go and get some sleep, madam. I can tend to things here. I’ll let you know when it’s time. Eileen, you go down and start boilin’ water.”
    Hilda hesitated. “Norah, will you be all right?”
    Norah had been calmed by Mrs. O’Rourke’s confidence. She nodded. “I’m sorry I woke everybody up in the middle of the night, but—”
    â€œNow, you can’t be