I wasnt surprised when I didnt hear from the old man. The whole idea obviously terrified him and it was over a month before I saw him again. I pushed my head through the sacks. He was sitting in his usual chair, peeling potatoes, and he looked at me with serious eyes.
Ah, Mr. Herriot. Come and sit down. Ive been going to get in touch with youIm so glad youve called. He threw back his head with an air of resolution. I have decided to take your advice about Emily. You may carry out the operation when you think fit.
But his voice trembled as he spoke.
Oh, thats splendid! I said cheerfully. In fact, Ive got a cat basket in the car so I can take her straight away.
I tried not to look at his stricken face as the cat jumped on to my knee.
Well, Emily, youre coming with me.
Then, as I looked at the little animal, I hesitated. Was it my imagination or was there a significant bulge in her abdomen?
Just a moment, I murmured as I palpated the little body, then I looked up at the old man. Im sorry, Mr. Ireson, but its
a bit late. Shes pregnant.
His mouth opened, but no words came, then he swallowed and spoke in a hoarse whisper.
But but what are we going to do?
Nothing, nothing, dont worry. Shell have the kittens, thats all, and Ill find homes for them. Everything will be fine.
I was putting on my breeziest act, but it didnt seem to help.
But Mr. Herriot, I dont know anything about these things. Im now terribly worried. She could die giving birthshes so tiny!
No, no, not at all. Cats very rarely have any trouble that way. I tell you what, when she starts having the kittensprobably around a month from nowget Eddy to give me a ring. Ill slip out here and see that all is well. Hows that?
Oh, you are kind. I feel so silly about this. The trouble is she means so much to me.
I know, and stop worrying. Everything will be absolutely okay.
We had a cup of tea together and by the time I left he had calmed down.
I did hear from him at last one stormy evening.
Mr. Herriot, I am telephoning from the farm. Emily has not yet produced those kittens, but she is very large and has lain trembling all day and wont eat anything. I hate to trouble you on this horrible night but I know nothing about these things and she does look most unhappy.
I didnt like the sound of that, but I tried to sound casual. I think Ill just pop out and have a look at her, Mr. Ireson.
Reallyare you sure?
Absolutely. No bother. Ill see you soon.
It was a strange, almost unreal scene as I stumbled through the darkness and parted the sacks forty minutes later. The wind and rain buffeted the tarpaulin walls and by the flickering light of the tilly lamp I saw Eugene in his chair stroking Emily, who lay in the basket by his side. The little cat had swollen enormouslyso much as to be almost unrecognisable and as I kneeled and passed my hand over her distended abdomen I could feel the skin stretched tight.
She was absolutely bursting full of kittens, but seemed lifeless and exhausted. She was straining, too, and licking at her vulva.
I looked up at the old man. Have you some hot water, Mr. Ireson?
Yes, yes, the kettle has just boiled.
I soaped my little finger. It would only just go into the tiny vagina. Inside I found the cervix wide open and a mass beyond, only just palpable. Heaven only knew how many kittens were jammed in there, but one thing was certain. There was no way they could ever come out. There was no room for manoeuvre. There was nothing I could do. Emily turned her face to me and gave a faint miaow of distress and it came to me piercingly that this cat could die.
Mr. Ireson, I said, Ill have to take her away immediately.
Take her away? he said in a bewildered whisper.
Yes. She needs a caesarean operation. The kittens cant come out in the normal way.
Upright in his chair, he nodded, shocked and only half comprehending. I grabbed the basket, Emily and all, and rushed out into the darkness. Then, as I thought of the old man looking blankly after me, I realised that my bedside manner had slipped badly. I pushed my head back through the sacks.
Dont worry, Mr. Ireson, I said, everythings going to be fine.
Dont worry! Brave words. As I parked Emily on the back seat and drove away, I knew I was damn worried, and I cursed the mocking fate which had decreed that after all of my airy remarks about cats effortlessly giving birth I might be headed for a tragedy. How long had Emily been lying like that? Ruptured uterus? Septicaemia? The grim possibilities raced through my mind. And why did it have to happen to that solitary old man of all people?
I stopped at the village kiosk and rang Siegfried.
Ive just left old Eugene Ireson. Will you come in and give me a hand? Cat caesar and its urgent. Sorry to bother you on your night off.
Perfectly all right, James, Im not doing a thing. See you soon, eh?
When I got to the surgery Siegfried had the steriliser bubbling and everything laid out.
This is your party, James, he murmured. Ill do the anaesthetic.