She told him about her latest adventure with castor oil. He shook his head and tightened his lips disgustedly.
"Guess that kid's gonna be a Christmas present," he said.
"Anyhow he's lost his chance to be a July baby," Dot remarked.
"Hold your horses," Eddie said. "The day ain't over yet."
But Dot was right. The baby didn't take advantage of his last opportunity to be born in July.
August first, Dr. Stewart came into the little top-floor apartment looking like a man who has an ace in the hole and a bad poker face.
"We'll fool Mr. Baby this time," he said.
Dot watched interestedly as he unpacked his bag with unusual velocity. He drew out adhesive tape, a length of tubular rubber, a lubricant. He went swiftly to work.
"We'll fool Mr. Baby this time," he said again.
After he had gone, Dot sat for a long time in the yellow chair and waited for the baby to be born. Absurd, of course. If Dr. Stewart had expected immediate results he would have remained. Still, Dot sat very quiet and waited. Besides, it was nicer to stay quiet. What Dr. Stewart had done was probably the correct thing to do under the circumstances, but it certainly didn't add anything to her comfort.
The bell rang. Dot stood up and walked toward the door. Even that short walk was labor. Maude McLaughlin stood outside, Maude cool-looking, smiling, Maude dressed in pale orchid chiffon with a sheaf of roses in her arms, Maude with the perennial dewy eyelids and vermilion lips under a large, drooping hat. But primarily, Maude coming out of curiosity to see how things were going with Dot.
