Australian Tales - Setis

I get drunk very often.’
“ ‘Oh dear me, I beg your pardon, Mr. Wobble. I had no idea it was
you. Wait a minute, sir,’ said the doctor, who then hastily drew his head
inside, and pulled down the window.
“That seemed the longest minute I ever waited, for I was picturing the
while some dreadful results of the delay.
“Presently the door opened, and the doctor appeared, when I stopped
him in his apologies, and hurriedly explained the nature of my errand. To
my chagrin he did not evince extreme haste, nor even the least surprise,
at my wife's sudden demand for his services, but politely asked me to
take a chair for a few minutes, until he was ready to return with me.
“In due course the doctor arrived with me at my house. My repeated
hints on the way there upon the urgency of the case, did not incite him to
run; consequently, the dogs had no more sport that night. After he had
had a little quiet conversation with Mrs. Follidodd, they both disappeared
from my view.
“Scarcely knowing what to do for the best, after I had exchanged my
damaged garments, I walked into the kitchen, and solemnly exhorted the
servant maid to exert herself to the utmost, and promised I would
remember her at Christmas. The girl said she would do ‘all that lay in her
power,’ then put another shovel full of coal on the roaring fire, and
quietly sat down before it, looking very sleepy. I next put the door
knocker in an old stocking, and not being able to think of anything else
to do that was useful or necessary, I lighted a cigar, and began to pace up
and down the verandah in a marvellous state of mental and physical
shiver.
“I endured two hours — as long as two days — of that extraordinary
admixture of tickle and torment, which must be felt to be comprehended.
At length Dr. Dollop came out to me and smilingly said, ‘it's all right,
Mr. Wobble. I congratulate you on the birth of a fine daughter.’ About
the same time I heard that delicious music which I have so imperfectly
described to you. After almost hugging the doctor, I sat down in my easy
chair, and gushed over with fatherly feeling.
“Those dulcet sounds continued, and I sat and listened in silent
admiration and with thankfulness for the indications of strength in those
infantile lungs. I can recollect the lively ba — a — a, as clearly as if it
were only last night; and I can recall most of those nice soothing things
kind old Mrs. Follidodd was saying to the little darling, in simple baby
dialect, for which I there and then resolved to give her a new bonnet tomorrow.
“By-and-bye the bed-room door suddenly opened, and, ah, thrilling
recollection! dear Mrs. Folly, (as I used to call her,) held before my
devouring eyes my precious little first-born child. Ah! Mr. Boomerang,
I'm not surprised to see you open your mouth wide with ecstacy, even at