VISITOR: And 'e's ser fretful, Doctor, and 'is breathin's ser sick, and
'e don't appear to 'ave no appetite.
DOCTOR: Bring him to the light here. I just want--ah!
VISITOR: I give 'im a soothin' powder, too, last night--a large one. I
bought it at the chimmis. They're supposed to be very good, them
Parker's soothin' powders.
DOCTOR: I'm afraid that this is rather serious.
VISITOR: Down't you think they're very good, Doctor--them Parker's
soothin' powders?
DOCTOR: I'm afraid there's not much doubt that this child has got
diphtheria.
VISITOR: I bin very careful with 'im, Doctor. I give 'im a soothin'
powder.
DOCTOR: Where do you live?
VISITOR: Fourteen Mulberry Street. It's next to the oil shop.
DOCTOR: How many rooms?
VISITOR: Was you gointer send 'im away then, Doctor? Oh, down't send
'im away?
DOCTOR: How many rooms?
VISITOR: Down't send 'im away, Doctor!
DOCTOR: I haven't said anything about sending him away--so far. Answer
my questions like a sensible woman. You want him to get better, don't
you?
VISITOR: I down't want you to send 'im away. I kin look arter 'im
meself. There's on'y six of us, an' we got three rooms, an the other
two boys kin sleep with me mother in the kitchen? Down't send him away!
DOCTOR: I'm very much afraid, Mrs.--ah--Mrs. Cooper, that it doesn't
quite rest with me whether the boy is taken away or not. He's got
diphtheria, that's certain, and I'm legally compelled to report the
case. It is for the Public Health people to decide whether they take
the boy or leave him. _I_ think you ought to be glad to let him go.
He'll be well looked after.
VISITOR: Down't send 'im away!
DOCTOR: But why not, Mrs. Cooper? You want him to get better, don't you.
You can't possibly nurse him yourself. You have the other children to
attend to, and the home to take care of, and your husband----
VISITOR: Yus, an' there's me 'usband, too. 'E won't let you take 'im.
DOCTOR (_very patiently_): I've said before that I don't want to take
him. It is the health officers who will take him if he's taken at all.
My duty is done when I've reported the case.
VISITOR: What you wanter tell 'em for? What you wanter put the little
chap away for?
DOCTOR: I'm telling them because I shall be punished if I don't. But I
think it's very foolish and ungrateful of you to make this fuss. I only
want to do the best I can for you and your baby. You want him to get
better, don't you?
VISITOR: Down't send 'im away! Let me send me 'usband round to talk to
you. Never mind about the punishment an' that, Doctor. My 'usband won't
tell nobody. I'd like you to talk to me 'usband, Doctor.
DOCTOR: And I would rather like to talk to your husband. I can explain
things more clearly to him, perhaps. Send him round at once.
VISITOR: Very likely it ain't the diftheria at all, Doctor. I'm sure me
'usband won't 'ave 'im took away.