Page:Pioneer work in opening the medical profession to women - autobiographical sketches (IA b28145227).pdf/183

 of me I distinctly remember! Between three and four, on my return from hospital, I set out determined to hunt up the family, and after searching directories and trudging several miles, and being wrongly directed, when I finally inquired at No. 5 Camden Street, a quiet, respectable house, whether Dr. Leifchild was in, I listened with great relief to the announcement that he was probably taking his nap. I was ushered into a large plainly furnished parlour, where sat Mrs. Leifchild, sewing by a round table in the middle. My childish recollection had retained a general impression of the person, though I should not have recognised her. She is seventy-two, and wearing spectacles, but does not look more than fifty, so fresh, plump, and pretty, though unfortunately so deaf that she could only hear an occasional word. I announced myself. She replied, 'I remember the family well. Mr. Blackwell was deacon in the chapel. You are one of his sisters.' I could hardly make her believe that I was third daughter. She remembered A. and M. well; said they were clever girls; she knew they would turn out something remarkable, but she had no recollection of me. Their son John came in at that moment—a tall, thin man, reminding me of the Lane Seminary student, Jones. I don't know whether I ever saw him before. Of course the doctor was sent for to see the stranger. I recognised him at once, and should have known him anywhere—fat, rosy, and laughing, notwithstanding his grey hair. I did not detect anything of the old man in him. 'Ah,' said he, 'I know that face,' and then he made me take my bonnet off and occupy a large chair by the fire, and tell him all about the family, and particularly my mother. 'A sweet creature she was! How I should like to see her again! Doesn't she talk about visiting England? I wish she would.' He spoke of father with great affection, as a true friend. He had