Doctor Allerton nodded to Jocelyn. He had seen her as a little girl, and could only feel a little startled every time he saw her. She had grown into a nice young lady, and a talented one as well. Yet, he, as everyone else in the village, knew her talent wouldn't amount to anything once she got married. As every other woman, she would be expected to have her own children, not to help other women have theirs. He took a deep breath when the girl started presenting her ideas on the new resident.<br/><br/>The elderly man and the midwife exchanged a look. They both felt the same about the girl's ideas. No good could come of it. She should, they both felt, just be contented with the fact that she would have a wealthy husband. Those girls, the look on their faces seemed to say.<br/><br/>Doctor Allerton considered Jocelyn's questions silently for a moment before responding, his voice firm. "Why would you invite a physician to your house, require him to write a prescription and not want him to look at whatever ails you? I say that does not sound like something a gentleman would do. If he did not want to be looked at, he had no point asking for a physician."<br/><br/>Shaking his head, he turned to the midwife. "He walks with a very evident limp, and relies on a cane at all times. I believe that is what ails him, but I can't tell what is the problem with his leg. Still, there is also something that may interest you, my friend. One of his lady servants is with child. His senior servant, a gentleman called Peter, asked me to inform she will come to the clinic at some moment, when she has a day off."