Novels2023-The Frozen River
by Ariel Lawhon
Contents
Part 4: Midwifery — Oxford, Massachusetts (Chapter 38)
Overview
This flashback reveals the beginning of Martha Ballard's life as a midwife. Summoned to an Oxford tavern, Martha discovers that the formidable Elspeth Horne has gone blind and intends to make Martha her assistant during the delivery of a frightened young stranger, Triphene Hartwell. The chapter matters because it shows how Martha's profession begins not by plan but by sudden necessity, trust, and Elspeth's recognition of Martha's steadiness under pressure.
Summary
In a flashback to February 28, 1760, Martha Ballard is at home in Oxford with Ephraim and their young children when a boy arrives asking her to come quickly to help Elspeth Horne. Martha protests that having borne children is not the same as delivering them, but Ephraim insists that Martha go and promises to manage the children while she is away.
Martha follows the boy, Walter, to a nearby tavern and up to an attic room, still convinced she has been summoned by mistake. Inside, Martha finds Elspeth seated beside a heavily pregnant young girl in labor. When Elspeth speaks to her without looking properly at her, Martha realizes that the once-formidable midwife has gone blind since they last met.
Elspeth tells Martha plainly that the two of them will deliver the child together. The laboring girl has been staying at the tavern for a week, will not explain where she came from, and appears to have no women with her. When Martha asks why Elspeth chose her, Elspeth says Martha remained calm during her own difficult births and is therefore worth teaching, revealing that she has decided to begin training Martha in midwifery.
As the girl's contractions intensify, Martha tries to reassure her that Elspeth's blindness does not lessen her skill. Elspeth then gives Martha her first lesson: before touching a laboring woman, a midwife must ask her name and earn her trust. Martha introduces herself, and the girl finally identifies herself as Triphene Hartwell. Elspeth has Martha fetch the medical bag and declares that by the end of the night Martha will learn whether midwifery is truly her calling.
Who Appears
- Martha BallardYoung mother unexpectedly summoned to assist a birth and tested as Elspeth's future apprentice.
- Elspeth HorneRespected midwife, now blind, who recruits Martha and begins teaching her in the birthing room.
- Triphene HartwellFrightened, very young pregnant stranger laboring alone in the tavern attic.
- Ephraim BallardMartha's husband, who urges her to go and stays behind with their children.
- WalterBoy sent to fetch Martha; Elspeth's grandson and helper at the tavern.