It was a pity, though, that she didn't take more kindly to the baby, seeing that, after all, the poor little thing was innocent, it didn't know what it had done.
Ranny would not have permitted himself this reflection but that a whole fortnight had passed and Violet had not died. Ranny's fatherhood was perturbed by Violet's indifference to the baby. He spoke of it to the doctor, and suggested weakness as a possible explanation.
"Weakness?" The doctor stared at him and smiled faintly. "What weakness?"
"I mean," said Ranny, "after all she's gone through."
The doctor put his hand on Ranny's shoulder. "My dear boy, if half the women went through as little and came out of it as well—"
Ranny flared up.
"I like that—your trying to make out she didn't suffer. Tortures weren't in it. How'd you like—"
But the doctor shook his head.
"We can't alter Nature, my dear boy. But I'll tell you for your comfort—in all my experience I've never known a woman have an easier time."
"D'you mean—d'you mean—she'll get over it?"