Chapter 47
Chapter Forty-Seven
Mary’s cries were terrifying. Elizabeth knew her sister needed her, but was unsure how to be of assistance.
Mama had begun in the room, and then grew impatient with Mary’s pain, saying women have babies every day, and one need not carry on in such a fashion.
This was the one time Mary laughed, for she, like Elizabeth, recalled their mother howling so loudly while giving birth to Kitty and Lydia that one thought the plaster might shake free from the walls.
Elizabeth sat with Mary, holding her hands, mopping her brow, and whispering reassurances she was not sure she believed.
“It is too early!” implored Mary. “I cannot lose this child! It is all I have left of Mr Collins.”
“Mary,” said Elizabeth, “you will not lose the child. Help is coming.”
“Seven months. It is too soon!”
Elizabeth rested her head on Mary’s hands, whispering a prayer that Mary would not need to endure more heartache.
The midwife and doctor arrived nearly at the same time, and both grudgingly agreed with one another on two points.
One, Mary was not, in fact, to have the child, but had had false pains brought on by either nature or upset.
Two, Mary was to stay in bed and be waited upon.
The midwife suggested the windows be opened while the doctor demanded the windows be closed.
The doctor said to call him only in the case of more frequent pains or uncontrollable bleeding, while the midwife said she would come by daily.
No one at the Bennets knew what to do, so they left the windows half open, and thanked the midwife and the doctor.
Their assurances had allowed Mary to calm, and the pains subsided, though did not disappear completely for at least another hour.
Mama, seeing that the crisis had been averted, stormed about, complaining that Mary had interrupted the joyousness of the announcement of Elizabeth’s engagement to Darcy.
Elizabeth begged her mother to cease her antics, as they might upset Mary further, and for Mama to refrain from speaking Darcy’s name near Mary lest it bring on another attack.
“How am I to not speak the name of your betrothed, Lizzy?”
It was a good question. She wanted Darcy, but did not wish her sister to relive the pain of her husband’s death daily. If only Jane were near to discuss this with, but Jane was on her honeymoon.