“Yes, what doctor?” Mrs. Seymour went to the telephone.
“Doctor Baker, and then to Miss Armitage in Loraine place.”
“Dr. Baker would come at once.”
They found the lady’s number. She was just going out but would stop there first.
Then she took Mrs. Seymour through to the 192 nursery. The children were patting and petting Marilla.
“Get away, children, you’ve had her smothered.”
“Does she faint often? She seems so well and merry.”
“She did that time last summer. She was out with the babies and fell off of a stoop, I believe, an’ she kept looking like a ghost for ever so long. That Miss Armitage took her to her house an’ took care of her. She’s a good woman, that she is. An’ it’s just my belief that Marilla isn’t strong enough for the rough an’ tumble of life. Some ain’t you know, an’ she’s tugged these fat babies about often; there isn’t but one nurse kept.”
“Oh, they were too heavy for her to lift.”
“Mrs. Borden didn’t want her to, much. I’ll say that for her. She was afraid the babies backs might get out of shape some way by a bad fall. She’s a fair dealin’ woman or I wouldn’t have staid with her all these years. But Marilla isn’t strong enough for the work, and the old Aunt wants a good deal of waiting on. It’s run up an’ down until you’d think her legs would just fall out.” 193