The Millionaire Baby — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The Millionaire Baby
John Stuart Mill · en
"I immediately got out too. As we faced each other, I demanded what the
matter was. He appeared reckless. 'Are you a doctor?' he asked. I
assured him that I was. At which he blurted out: 'I don't know why
you've been following us so long, and I don't care. I've got a job for
you. A child in our wagon is ill.'"
With a start I attempted to look over the old man's shoulder toward the
bed. But the deep, if irregular, breathing of the child reassured me,
and I turned to hear the doctor out.
"This gave me my chance. 'Let me see her,' I cried. The man's eye
lowered. I did not like his face at all. 'If it's anything serious,' he
growled, 'I shall cut. It isn't my flesh and blood nor yet my old
woman's there. You'll have to find some place for the brat besides my
wagon if it's anything that won't get cured without nu'ssin'. So come
along and have a look.' I followed him, perfectly determined to take the
child under my own care, sick or well. 'Where were you going to take
her?' I asked. I didn't ask who she was; why should I? 'I don't know as
I am obliged to tell,' was his surly reply. 'Where we are going
oursel's,' he reluctantly added. 'But not to nu'ss. I've no time for
nu'ssin' brats, nor my wife neither. We have a journey to make.
Sarah!'--this to his wife, for by this time we were beside the wagon,
'lift up the flap and hold the youngster's hand out. Here's a doctor who
will tell us if it's fever or not.' A puny hand and wrist were thrust
out. I felt the pulse and then held out my arms. 'Give me the child,' I
commanded. 'She's sick enough for a hospital.' A grunt from the woman
within, an oath from the man, and a bundle was presently put in my arms,
from which a little moan escaped as I strode with it toward my buggy. 'I
do not ask your name,' I called back to the man who reluctantly followed
me. 'Mine is Doctor Pool and I live in Yonkers.' He muttered something
about not peachin' on a poor man who was really doin' an unfortunate a
kindness, and then slunk hurriedly back and was gone, wagon, wife and
all, by the time I had whipped up my tired old nag and turned about
toward Yonkers. But I had the child safe and sound in my arms, and my
fears of its fate were relieved. It was not well, but I anticipated
nothing serious. When it moaned I pressed it a little closer to my
breast and that was all. In three-quarters of an hour we were in
Yonkers. In fifteen minutes I had it on this bed, and had begun to
unroll the shawl in which it was closely wrapped. Did you ever see the
child about whom there has been all this coil?"
"Yes, about three years ago."
"Three years! I have seen her within a fortnight; yet I could carry
that young one in my arms for a whole hour without the least suspicion
that I was making a fool of myself."