The Fifth Child

Despite their plans to wait, Harriet unexpectedly becomes pregnant again in the winter of 1973. Both she and David are dismayed, and David again jokes about the fertility of the bedroom. Dorothy leaves to help Sarah’s family, and Harriet struggles to find help. Exhausted and anxious, she weeps and believes that the fetus is poisoning her. Harriet looks forward to the holidays when their relatives will visit and help. David resents the cost of having guests, working extra hours, and pitching in with the childcare. He insists that Harriet hire help, but she can’t find a nanny who is willing to care for the soon-to-be five children.

Dorothy returns and admonishes the couple for their irresponsibility and expectation that she be their servant. David believes that Harriet has broken her unspoken contract to be a contented wife. When Harriet feels demanding taps against her flat belly, unusual at three months, Dr. Brett revises her due date, scolds her for being careless, and prescribes rest. During a family gathering, Harriet explains that the pregnancy was a “mistake,” and her relatives’ teasing turns to condemnation. Harriet is too sick to be social, the children quarrel, and their holiday guests leave earlier than expected.