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 possible that after all she was not going to have her baby right away?

The bell rang. Dr. Stewart! He had hurried from Long Island to Inwood, breaking traffic rules without thought or care. To Eddie, it seemed the doctor had walked the distance, so endless had the wait been to him. Dot smiled at Dr. Stewart. Her mind was clearer than Eddie's, less worried. She knew how quickly the trip had been made.

Dr. Stewart took off his hat and coat and set his bag on a chair. He examined Dot briefly.

"Pain?"

"A little, very little."

"Got one now?"

"No. Just got rid of one."

Dr. Stewart pulled out his watch and seated himself in the yellow chair beside the bed.

"Tell me when you get another," he said.

Dot smiled and nodded. Eddie looked at Dr. Stewart, trying to learn something from his expression. He had met the doctor once before and had been impressed by his quiet, unexcited manner of going about things.

There was silence in the room for many minutes. Then Dot said, "I have a pain."

"Good," said Dr. Stewart, heartily. "Tell me when it goes away."

He kept his eyes fixed on his watch.

"It's gone," said Dot.

"Tell me when you get another."

An hour passed. Eddie calmed down. The doctor seemed to know his business. Dot had four pains, all of which Dr. Stewart timed.

"I have to get a new radio set," said Dr. Stewart. "Who's making the good ones now, Mr. Collins?"

Eddie looked at him uncertainly. Was he in earnest? Was this a time for shop talk?