attended with a phenomenon which to them was equally strange and
inexplicable: this was no other than such a reduction in the size
of Mrs. Trunnion as might have been expected after the birth of a
full-grown child. Startled at such an unaccountable event, they sat
in close divan; and concluding that the case was in all respects
unnatural and prodigious, desired that a messenger might be immediately
despatched for some male practitioner in the art of midwifery.

The commodore, without guessing the cause of her perplexity, ordered
Pipes immediately on this piece of duty, and in less than two hours
they were assisted by the advice of a surgeon of the neighbourhood,
who boldly affirmed that the patient had never been with child.
This asseveration was like a clap of thunder to Mr. Trunnion, who
had been, during eight whole days and nights, in continual expectation
of being hailed with the appellation of father.

After some recollection, he swore the surgeon was an ignorant
fellow, and that he would not take his word for what he advanced,
being comforted and confirmed in his want of faith by the insinuations
of the midwife, who still persisted to feed Mrs. Trunnion with
hopes of a speedy and safe delivery; observing that she had been
concerned in many a case of the same nature, where a fine child
was found, even after all signs of the mother's pregnancy had
disappeared. Every twig of hope, how slender soever it may be, is
eagerly caught hold on by people who find themselves in danger of
being disappointed. To every question proposed by her to the lady,
with the preambles of "Han't you?" or "Don't you?" answer was made
in the affirmative, whether agreeable to truth or not, because the
respondent could not find in her heart to disown any symptom that
might favour the notion she had so long indulged.