this last at the ceiling. Even the rain ran like tears down the windows, the water from the roof clattering into the rain barrel beside Ingeborgâs porch. âSo much death lately. Oh, Mor, I cannot stand this.â
âI know. Oh, how I know.â
âI donât know why I came visiting you when Iâm such a mess.â Astrid dug in her pocket for a handkerchief, shaking her head as she tried to wipe her eyes and blow her nose. She tipped her head back. âIt was their first baby, and he seemed to be fully formed, so why did he die? Mrs. Sorvito was in no condition to answer questions, even if I could have asked them. And her husband was in no shape to talk either. He was too frantic about possibly losing her.â
âBut she is at the hospital now?â
âDaniel and I carried her to the hospital, lifting her by thecorners of the sheet, once I got the bleeding stopped. I wasnât taking any chances. Another man finally helped us. I think they were too afraid of the hospital to go there when she went into labor. No money probably.â
âOr women arenât usually taken to a hospital to have a baby, you know. They are supposed to have it at home. Was there a midwife there?â
âNo. You know, there arenât many women in that camp.â She sniffed and blew her nose again. The worst seemed to be over. âI think they speak Italian. Itâs a shame Miriam isnât here. She speaks both Italian and Gaelic. The man went to find Father Devlin, one reason he was unwilling for us to take her. I assured him that Father Devlin would come to the hospital. He must have been dead asleep to not have heard all the commotion.â
âI believe he is away.â
Astrid stared out the window. âDo you want to go dance in the rain?â
âNot today. Itâs a bit chilly for that.â
âDo you remember when we did? Tante Kaaren and Sophie and Grace and us?â Astrid got up to stand beside her mother.
âMore than once. There is nothing like rain-washed hair.â Ingeborg finished her coffee. âFreda is out in the cheese house. I should be helping her.â
âInstead, you are helping your daughter.â Astrid leaned her head on her motherâs shoulder.
âDoes Elizabeth know?â
Astrid shrugged. âI got the woman stabilized, left orders, and went home for breakfast. Then I just grabbed the umbrella and came out here.â She blew out a breath. âI sure wish Miriam would get back here.â
âTrygve said she is coming on Sundayâs train.â
âHow come I didnât know that?â Why did Ingeborg know this and Astrid did not? Had they called Elizabeth and she forgot to tell Astrid? âI better get back to the hospital.â She paused.âI miss the nurses no longer staying at our house. It has been delightful to see Corabell adjust to life so far from home, but I think living in a home rather than the boardinghouse was a good thing. At least at first.â
Ingeborg nodded. âI like having Gray Cloud and Dawn Breaking drop by now and then. They are a great help, and theyâre learning things that will serve them well when they go home to their tribe.â She adjusted Astridâs shawl around her shoulders.
Astrid paused in opening the door. âMor, why donât you come with me? You could be a mother to that poor Mrs. Sorvito today.â
âAll right. I will. Iâll leave a note for Freda. There is nothing pressing here today.â
âDo you want the buggy?â
Ingeborg made a face and shook her head. âOutside in a rain-washed world is a great place to be.â
The telephone rang, and they paused and counted rings. Ingeborg returned to the box on the wall.
âIs Astrid still there?â It sounded like Rachel, Goodie Woldâs niece, on the switchboard.
âJa. We are just going out the door.â
âTell her to go to the hospital.