Melinda sighed deeply. She was doing her very best to be patient and offer firm guidance to their newest addition. As the months wore on, she was finding it more and more difficult to extend Tilda grace. No matter what she did, or how hard the young witch tried, there was always something that went amiss with her work. Perhaps it was the stress of losing her home to the mist in Irvingly or having to deal with her husband more often now that they were staying with her mother. It wouldn't be fair to take it out on Miss MacFusty. She did her very best to remain neutral as she called the midwife to the office.

Once the fresh face had appeared, Melinda clasped her hands in front of her. As serenely as a pond without ripples, she asked, "Thank you for coming so quickly, Miss MacFusty. I had some questions about paperwork that you completed for the births you assisted last week." She scooped the stack of parchment from her desk and held them out for Tilda's perusal. "We have gone over how important it is to keep our birth records accurate and tidy, yes?" She waited for the affirmative nod. "Please explain why the record for Mrs. Tuggington lists the first name of her infant as—and I quote—'cabbage-head.'"

Tilda MacFusty