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.