With her knowledge of ailments, Norma quickly diagnosed Sophie’s persistent nausea and sluggish feeling. All three women were delighted that she was pregnant. It was only after one more period was missed that Sophie informed Henry. He was euphoric, and announced that they should perhaps protect the new baby by not having sex. Sophie laughed and said that, on the contrary, this was a time for celebration, especially in bed. That night, they tried some things they had never done before.

About a week later, the doctor climbed the outside stair and knocked on the door where the two women were at work. He told his wife, whom he called “Mrs. Railston,” “I just went by Miss Norma’s house to pick her up in the buggy and found that she is too ill to get out of the bed. This is not like her at all, so she must be really sick. She wouldn’t let me come in to see about her because she said she first needed a woman to help her get dressed and clean up around her bed.”

Sophie volunteered to go with Dr. and Mrs. Railston, and they were soon at the little cabin on the edge of town. After identifying themselves, they could hear a weak voice giving the two women permission to enter. They found the midwife with vomit on her gown, and indicating that she was also “messed up behind.” As the women worked to clean up the bed, they could tell that Miss Norma was gasping, her throat was inflamed, and she was burning with fever.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me, maybe just the colic, but I’ll see if Dr. Railston has some ideas,” she said, as the women left the house and the doctor entered. When he emerged, he was obviously distressed.

“As soon as I saw her, I was pretty sure that Miss Norma might have the pox. I’ve seen a few cases, and I have a pamphlet at home that describes the symptoms and what they have learned to do in England and also in the colonies when any cases develop. It scared me half to death when I saw Miss Norma’s rashes, knowing how bad y’all have been exposed, and I tried to protect myself as much as possible. Now I’ll have to do all I can to safeguard you and also other people in the community. She said both of you were all over her and her soiled bedclothes. It will be necessary to burn those clothes you’re wearing, and to wash off anything you might have picked up on your hands or arms in the house.”

He paused for a while, and then turned to Sophie and added, “Maybe your husband will agree to let you come to our house and stay for a few days until we can see how Miss Norma gets along.”