Midwives

Sibyl reflects on her pride in the way Connie is growing up. Connie is emotionally mature for her age, almost a young woman now. Sibyl is impressed by the way Connie studies the newspapers and debates the news, as well as by her knack for diplomacy, as evidenced in the way she interacted with Stephen. However, Sibyl is also aware that Connie is still a child, scared of everything that is going on. That is why, even though Connie has developed the grown-up habit of drinking coffee, Sibyl will make sure she does not drink coffee before bedtime.

The Danforths’ house is flooded with lay midwives in the days before the results of Charlotte’s autopsy are released. Midwives arrive from New Hampshire and Massachusetts, bringing the family casseroles and dinners. They envelop Sibyl and Connie and Rand in warm hugs. Connie is glad for the company and the food, but Rand sometimes thinks that their house has turned into a circus. He is particularly annoyed by a middle-aged, striking midwife called Cheryl Visco, who is in the habit of delivering long monologues without a pause. Connie can hear her parents fight over Cheryl, though the fights always blow over.

A few days before the autopsy report comes out, Sibyl gets a visit from Dr.