Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

away from her as she lies exposed with a feeling that I had no right to see. It is a blessed moment when she begins to breathe in the deep way of artificial sleep & her legs relax – I cannot remember all that was done – I remember how the Dr. did something inside, probably turning the baby around; how when he had one little leg out and I thot (sic) he would pull it apart – how her deep breathing seemed liked (sic) groaning & I found myself wringing my wet hands – how when the baby was all out but the head and then when it was all out – he lays it on Bertha’s stomach – I thought with a sinking heart it was dead for it was so flabby – how it commenced to move just a little and gave a faint cry – the fixing of the cord – & put the little one in a basket. I cannot have a feeling for it but followed Bertha back to her bed – waiting for her to come out– she first tries to say “Daddy” and then wants to know if it is a boy or girl. Then she repeatedly asks how much it weighed. My heart grows full as she comes out more & more – ; At 11:00 we ask to see the baby. They bring it in & lay it on the bed. She is sleeping. I had ex-