Class-XI

English (Snapshot)
Birth
Introduction

"Birth" is an excerpt from "The Citadel" that revolves around Andrew Manson
who just graduated out of medical school.
It is an account of how the newly graduated medical practitioner helped in
bringing Joe and Susan’s child into this world despite going through a tough
time with his girlfriend Christine.
 Birth
Lesson and Explanation
THOUGH it was nearly midnight when Andrew reached Bryngower, he found Joe Morgan
waiting for him, walking up and down with short steps between the closed surgery and the
entrance to the house. At the sight of him the burly driller’s face expressed relief.
Surgery- a place where a doctor, dentist or other medical practitioner treats or advises
patients
Burly- (a person) large and strong; heavily built
Driller- someone who works at the drilling controls on the rig floor
When Andrew reached his house at around twelve at night, he caught the sight of Joe Morgan
climbing up and then down the stairs between his small clinic and the entrance to his house.
On seeing Andrew, the heavily built driller, Joe heaved a sigh of relief.
“Eh, Doctor, I’m glad to see you. I been back and forward here this last hour. The missus
wants ye —before time, too.” Andrew, abruptly recalled from the contemplation of his own
affairs, told Morgan to wait. He went into the house for his bag, then together they set out
for Number 12 Blaina Terrace. The night air was cool and deep with quiet mystery.
Usually so perceptive, Andrew now felt dull and listless. He had no premonition that this
night call would prove unusual, still less that it would influence his whole future in Blaenelly.
The two men walked in silence until they reached the door of Number 12, then Joe drew up
short “I’ll not come in,” he said, and his voice showed signs of strain. “But, man, I know ye’ll
do well for us.”

Ye- an old written form of the word ‘the’

Contemplation- deep reflective thought
Abruptly- suddenly and unexpectedly
Perceptive- having or showing sensitive insight
Listless- lacking energy or enthusiasm
Premonition- a strong feeling that something is about to happen, especially something
unpleasant
Joe Morgan expressed how pleased he was to see Doctor Andrew. He tells Andrew how he has
been waiting there for him for about an hour now. Joe’s wife needs Andrew to examine her
even before the time of her child’s birth. She is in a critical situation. On hearing this, Andrew
had a sudden flashback of the unpleasant night he had with his girlfriend Christine but without
wasting further time, he told Joe to wait outside while he got his bag. When he came out, they
both began walking towards Number 12 Blaina Terrace, where Joe’s wife was. It was a cool
night and the streets were silent which made it mysterious.

Andrew, who generally is full of life and spirit, was silent and lacked energy. Andrew had no
idea what the night had in store for him and that it was going to influence his life in Blaenelly.
They both walked silently till they reached Number 12. As soon as they reached, Joe revealed to
Andrew that he does not intend on coming in but he showed full confidence in Andrew. Joe’s
voice was tense and under pressure.
Inside, a narrow stair led up to a small bedroom, clean but poorly furnished, and lit only by
an oil lamp. Here Mrs Morgan’s mother, a tall, grey-haired woman of nearly seventy, and the
stout, elderly midwife waited beside the patient, watching Andrew’s expression as he moved
about the room.

Stout- (of a person) rather fat or heavy build

Midwife- a person, typically a woman, who is trained to assist women in childbirth

Andrew entered the gate alone. He took the stairs which were of rather small width and
reached a bedroom. The bedroom was not lavish or luxurious, but, it was neat. Inside the room
were Joe Morgan’s mother in law, a woman of around seventy with larger than the average
height and grey hair along with a plump midwife to assist the childbirth. The midwife was also
of an elderly age. They both sat beside Mrs Morgan waiting for Andrew.
“Let me make you a cup of tea, Doctor, bach,” said the former quickly, after a few moments.
Andrew smiled faintly. He saw that the old woman, wise in experience, realised there must
be a period of waiting that she was afraid he would leave the case, saying he would return
later. “Don’t fret, mother, I’ll not run away.”

Bach- used as a term of endearment, often after a personal name

Smiled faintly- smiling with less energy or a smile that lacks spirit
Fret- be constantly or visibly anxious; worry

The sweet old lady (Mrs Morgan’s mother) offered Andrew a cup of tea. She addressed Andrew
as “bach” which is used while displaying affection. Realising that the old lady might be worried
about him leaving during the waiting period, he gave her a gentle smile and comforted her by
assuring that he will not go away. The fact that she anticipated the period of waiting and was
worried about him running away made Andrew realise that she was wise and had plenty of
experience.
Down in the kitchen he drank the tea which she gave him. Overwrought as he was, he knew
he could not snatch even an hour’s sleep if he went home. He knew, too, that the case here
would demand all his attention. A queer lethargy of spirit came upon him. He decided to
remain until everything was over

Overwrought- in a state of anxiety; tired

Snatch- manage to take (here)
Queer- strange; odd
Lethargy- lack of energy and enthusiasm

He sipped the tea in the kitchen downstairs. Though he was mentally and physically exhausted
because of the unpleasant meeting with Christine, he knew it was impossible for him to even
get an hour’s worth of sleep if he went home. Although, new in his line or practice, he was
aware that the situation was critical and called for his attentiveness. Strangely, he felt a bit
active and decided to stay at the place till his duty was fulfilled.
An hour later he went upstairs again, noted the progress made, came down once more, sat
by the kitchen fire. It was still, except for the rustle of a cinder in the grate and the slow tick-
tock of the wall clock. No, there was another sound —the beat of Morgan’s footsteps as he
paced in the street outside. The old woman opposite him sat in her black dress, quite
motionless, her eyes strangely alive and wise, probing, never leaving his face

Rustle- make a soft, muffled crackling sound

Cinder- a small piece of partly burnt coal or wood that has stopped giving off flames but still
has combustible matter in it
Probing- inquiring closely
He went upstairs after almost an hour to check upon Mrs Morgan. He sat near the kitchen fire
upon coming back. It was that time of the night where everything was still. The only sounds
that came was of the ticking clock, Joe’s footsteps from the outside and from the almost
extinguished piece of coal. While he sat in the kitchen, Mrs Morgan’s mother sat in front of him
wearing her black dress. She looked at him constantly with her wise eyes that were filled with
hope.
His thoughts were heavy, muddled. The episode he had witnessed at Cardiff station still
obsessed him morbidly. He thought of Bramwell, foolishly devoted to a woman who
deceived him sordidly, of Edward Page, bound to the shrewish Blodwen, of Denny, living
unhappily, apart from his wife. His reason told him that all these marriages were dismal
failures. It was a conclusion which, in his present state, made him wince.
He wished to consider marriage as an idyllic state; yes, he could not otherwise consider it
with the image of Christine before him. Her eyes, shining towards him, admitted no other
conclusion. It was the conflict between his level, doubting mind and his overflowing heart
which left him resentful and confused. He let his chin sink upon his chest, stretched out his
legs, stared broodingly into the fire. He remained like this so long, and his thoughts were so
filled with Christine, that he started when the old woman opposite suddenly addressed him.
Her meditation had pursued a different course.
Muddled- not arranged in order; untidy
Morbidly- (with reference to a disturbing or unpleasant interest or activity) in an abnormal
and unhealthy manner
Sordidly- meanly selfish, self-seeking
Shrewish- (of a woman) bad-tempered or aggressively assertive
Dismal- causing a mood of gloom or depression
Wince- make a slight involuntary grimace or shrinking movement of the body out of pain or
distress
Idyllic- like an idyll; extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque
Resentful- feeling or expressing bitterness or indignation at having been treated unfairly
Broodingly- preoccupied with depressing, morbid, or painful memories or thoughts
Clearly, the earlier unpleasant moments with Christine had taken a toll on his mind. He was still
being haunted by the incident that took place at Cardiff station. He began thinking of his friends
and acquaintances who have had bad experiences in love and marriage. He thought of
Bramwell, the woman he loved had cheated on him. He contemplated upon the relationship of
Edward Page, who was committed to a dominating woman named Blodwen. He reflected upon
how Denny is living away from his wife not-so-happily. All of this brought him to an inference
that made him cringe.
He wished to believe that the institution of marriage was a cheerful one, one that guaranteed
peace and companionship. He also had no other reason to believe otherwise with Christine’s
shining eyes in his mind. He was undoubtedly facing a conflict with all his mind, heart and soul
in disagreement. He thus, rested his chin on his chest and pulled out his legs while he glanced at
the fireplace. He sat still for a few moments, his mind was still preoccupied with Christine until
the old lady broke her silence. She was thinking about something else.
“Susan said not to give her the chloroform if it would harm the baby. She’s awful set upon
this child, Doctor, bach.” Her old eyes warmed at a sudden thought. She added in a low tone:
“Ay, we all are, I fancy.” He collected himself with an effort. “It won’t do any harm, the
anaesthetic,” he said kindly. “They’ll be all right.”
awful - very
The old lady tells the doctor how worried Susan was on account of this complicated situation.
She even refused to have anaesthesia if it were to affect the baby. She told him how invested
she was in the child. The old lady corrects herself and says that all of them are invested in the
child. Her eyes were filled with warmth while she said this. The doctor, preoccupied with
another set of worries, somehow cleared his mind and assured the old lady that the anaesthetic
would do no harm to either of them.
Here the nurse’s voice was heard calling from the top landing. Andrew glanced at the clock,
which now showed half-past three. He rose and went up to the bedroom. He perceived that
he might now begin his work.
Suddenly, they heard the voice of the midwife calling upon them. Andrew saw that it’s already
3.30 and that he shall begin with the procedure. Thus, he got up to go to the bedroom upstairs.
An hour elapsed. It was a long, harsh struggle. Then, as the first streaks of dawn strayed past
the broken edges of the blind, the child was born, lifeless
Blind- a screen for a window, especially one on a roller or made of slats
It took him almost an hour to perform the surgery. It was a rather tough one. While the first
rays of daylight came inside from the corner of the window, the Morgan child was born.
Unfortunately, the child was cold and still.
As he gazed at the still form a shiver of horror passed over Andrew. After all that he had
promised! His face, heated with his own exertions, chilled suddenly. He hesitated, torn
between his desire to attempt to resuscitate the child, and his obligation towards the
mother, who was herself in a desperate state. The dilemma was so urgent he did not solve it
consciously.
Blindly, instinctively, he gave the child to the nurse and turned his attention to Susan Morgan
who now lay collapsed, almost pulseless, and not yet out of the ether, upon her side. His
haste was desperate, a frantic race against her ebbing strength. It took him only an instant to
smash a glass ampule and inject the medicine.
Then he flung down the hypodermic syringe and worked unsparingly to restore the flaccid
woman. After a few minutes of feverish effort, her heart strengthened; he saw that he might
safely leave her. He swung round, in his shirt sleeves, his hair sticking to his damp brow
Resuscitate- revive someone from the unconsciousness
Ether- used as an anaesthetic
Haste- excessive speed or urgency of movement or action; hurry
Frantic- conducted in a hurried, excited, and disorganized way
Ebbing- (of an emotion or quality) gradually decrease
Hypodermic- relating to the region immediately beneath the skin
Unsparingly- generous
Flaccid- lifeless

As he continued to look at the lifeless child, a shiver passed down his spine. While his face was
heated because of the efforts he put in, a wave of coldness held him. He was devastated.
Moreover, he was confused; he couldn’t get himself to choose between addressing the still-born
or the miserable mother. He could not make the decision consciously.
So, he intuitively addressed the mother first while giving the child to the nurse. Susan laid
unconscious too as the effects of the anaesthesia still persisted. He put in all his efforts to bring
her out of the desperate state even while her strength continued to weaken. He instantly broke
the medicine’s glass to fill the syringe and inject it into her.
He worked tirelessly to bring her to her senses. After a moment, when he was assured that she
was safe and her body was beginning to regain its strength, he turned his attention to the child.
His hair was all over his sweaty face but he did not waste another moment.
“Where’s the child?” The midwife made a frightened gesture. She had placed it beneath the
bed. In a flash Andrew knelt down. Fishing amongst the sodden newspapers below the bed,
he pulled out the child. A boy, perfectly formed. The limp, warm body was white and soft as
tallow. The cord, hastily slashed, lay like a broken stem. The skin was of a lovely texture,
smooth and tender. The head lolled on the thin neck. The limbs seemed boneless.
Sodden- saturated with liquid, especially water; soaked through
Tallow- the hard fat of animals melted and used to make soap, candles etc.
Hastily- with excessive speed or urgency; hurriedly
Slashed- slit
Lolled- hang loosely
Andrew hastened and asked the midwife about the child. The midwife got anxious and asked
him where the child was. She had kept it under the bed. Without wasting another moment,
Andrew took the child out. It was a boy in perfect shape and with flawless skin. His body was
warm and his skin was extremely soft. The head hung loosely on his weak neck and the cord
was hanging too, from his body. His limbs felt boneless because the bones were so soft.
Still kneeling, Andrew stared at the child with a haggard frown. The whiteness meant only
one thing: asphyxia, pallida, and his mind, unnaturally tense, raced back to a case he once
had seen in the Samaritan, to the treatment that had been used.
Instantly he was on his feet. “Get me hot water and cold water,” he threw out to the nurse.
“And basins too. Quick! Quick!” “But, Doctor—” she faltered, her eyes on the pallid body of
the child. “Quick!” he shouted.
Haggard- looking exhausted and unwell, especially from fatigue, worry, or suffering
Asphyxia- a condition arising when the body is deprived of oxygen, causing unconsciousness
or death; suffocation
Pallida - suffocation or unconscious condition caused by lack of oxygen and excess of carbon
dioxide in the blood, accompanied by paleness of the skin, weak pulse, and loss of reflexes
Faltered- lose strength or momentum
Pallid- (of a person's face) pale, typically because of poor health
Still bent to take the child out from beneath the bed, Andrew glared at the child. He observed
him and thought about the reason he was so white. He knew it could only be a case of oxygen
deprivation because he had seen a similar case in Samaritan.

He focused on the treatment that was used. He instantly stood up and instructed the nurse to
bring in hot water and cold water in separate tubs. The nurse hesitated because for the
moment, she thought the efforts were useless but the doctor hastened and shouted on her to
get it done instantly.
Snatching a blanket, he laid the child upon it and began the special method of respiration.
The basins arrived, the ewer, the big iron kettle. Frantically he splashed cold water into one
basin; into the other he mixed water as hot as his hand could bear. Then, like some crazy
juggler, he hurried the child between the two, now plunging it into the icy, now into the
steaming bath.

Ewer- a large jug with a wide mouth, formerly used for carrying water
Plunging- falling steeply

While she had gone to take what he told her to, Andrew grabbed a blanket and laid the child on
it while he performed the unique respiration method. The nurse arrived with the necessary
items and he began with the procedure instantly. In one basin, he put cold water alone and in
the other, he put hot water at the temperature he could bear. The next moment, he was seen
dipping the child in those basins, one after another. He continued doing it.
Fifteen minutes passed. Sweat was now running into Andrew’s eyes, blinding him. One of his
sleeves hung down, dripping. His breath came pantingly. But no breath came from the lax
body of the child.

He did the procedure for about fifteen minutes. He was extremely tired and filled with sweat so
much that it blinded him. One of his sleeves got unfolded and wet with water. He breathed
heavily. Despite all his effort, the child still laid lifeless.
A desperate sense of defeat pressed on him, a raging hopelessness. He felt the midwife
watching him in stark consternation, while there, pressed back against the wall where she
had all the time remained —her hand pressed to her throat, uttering no sound, her eyes
burning upon him —was the old woman. He remembered her longing for a grandchild, as
great as had been her daughter’s longing for this child. All dashed away now; futile, beyond
remedy…

Stark- complete
Consternation- a feeling of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexcited

He felt that he had failed and suddenly, all his hope was beginning to fade. He could feel the
nurse gazing upon him, disheartened. On the other hand, there was the old woman, who
couldn’t utter a word. Her eyes were constantly fixated upon him. He instantly remembered
how badly she wanted a grandchild. Moreover, he remembered how her daughter was waiting
for one. It was all a waste now.
The floor was now a draggled mess. Stumbling over a sopping towel, Andrew almost
dropped the child, which was now wet and slippery in his hands, like a strange, white fish.
“For mercy’s sake, Doctor,” whimpered the midwife. “It’s stillborn.”

Draggled- dirty or wet, typically from being trailed through mud or water
Stumbling- tripping or losing balance while walking; moving with difficulty
Sopping- saturated with liquid; wet through
Whimpered- say something in a low, feeble voice that expresses fear, pain, or unhappiness

After the continued struggle, the floor was extremely wet and dirty. The doctor almost slipped
on the towel and he was just about to lose hold of the child. The child was also wet and he is
being compared to a white fish. The midwife then pleaded before the doctor and told him to
stop as the child is stillborn.
And then, as by a miracle, the pigmy chest, which his hands enclosed, gave a short,
convulsive heave, another… and another… Andrew turned giddy. The sense of life, springing
beneath his fingers after all that unavailing striving, was so exquisite it almost made him
faint. He redoubled his efforts feverishly. The child was gasping now, deeper and deeper. A
bubble of mucus came from one tiny nostril, a joyful iridescent bubble. The limbs were no
longer boneless. The head no longer lay back spinelessly. The blanched skin was slowly
turning pink. Then, exquisitely, came the child’s cry.
Pigmy- little (here)
Convulsive- violent; uncontrollable
Heave- produce a sigh
Giddy- weak
Unavailing- achieving little
Iridescent- showing luminous colours that seem to change when seen from different angles
Just as it was a miracle, the little chest which was enclosed in Andrew’s hands, took a breath.
He continued heaving, leaving Andrew weak in his knees. The feeling of the little one’s
breathing on his fingers almost made him faint. Instantly, he worked on reviving him with
double the efforts until the child breathed deeply. As he gasped, a bubble formed by the mucus
was formed from his tiny nose, his pale skin turned pink and the body no longer felt like it was
lifeless. The next instant, he started crying.

“Dear Father in heaven,” the nurse sobbed hysterically. “It’s come —it’s come alive.” Andrew
handed her the child. He felt weak and dazed. About him the room lay in a shuddering litter:
blankets, towels, basins, soiled instruments, the hypodermic syringe impaled by its point in
the linoleum, the ewer knocked over, the kettle on its side in a puddle of water. Upon the
huddled bed the mother still dreamed her way quietly through the anaesthetic. The old
woman still stood against the wall. But her hands were together, her lips moved without
sound. She was praying.

The nurse muttered the words of prayer while tears rolled down her eyes. As Andrew handed
her the child, he felt extremely weak and tired. The room was obviously a mess by this time. All
the equipment, including blankets, towels, basins, soiled instruments, the hypodermic syringe,
the ewer and the kettle were all in a terrible state. The mother lay still on the bed, the
anaesthesia still had its effect. Susan’s mother stood still in one place, constantly moving her
lips in prayer.
Mechanically Andrew wrung out his sleeve, pulled on his jacket. “I’ll fetch my bag later,
nurse.” He went downstairs, through the kitchen into the scullery. His lips were dry. At the
scullery he took a long drink of water. He reached for his hat and coat. Outside he found Joe
standing on the pavement with a tense, expectant face. “All right, Joe,” he said thickly. “Both
all right.” It was quite light. Nearly five o’clock. A few miners were already in the streets: the
first of the night shift moving out. As Andrew walked with them, spent and slow, his footfalls
echoing with the others under the morning sky, he kept thinking blindly, oblivious to all
other work he had done in Blaenelly, “I’ve done something; oh, God! I’ve done something
real at last.
Scullery- a small kitchen or room at the back of a house used for washing dishes and other
dirty household work
Andrew unfolded his sleeve and put on his jacket while informing the nurse that he will take his
bag later. He then went into a small room through the kitchen downstairs and grabbed a large
glass of water. He took his coat and hat and headed outside. He met Joe outside and told him
that everything was fine. It was around five in the morning and there was not too much light.
While walking towards his home, he was accompanied by a few miners who had just completed
their night shift. As their footsteps echoed, he had only one thing in mind. His heart was full of
the thought that he finally accomplished something.

The End