Summary

“A Womanhouse” began with Bertha’s discovery that she was pregnant. Although Dr. Sprague confirmed this fact, Bertha struggled with accepting it. She felt the baby had been an impossibility and intrusion. The women spent time sharing and bowling with one another at Truitt’s Alleys. LuEtta, though, did not discuss the loss of her child. Instead, she brought back a trophy from a bowling tournament. Dr. Sprague cared for Bertha during her pregnancy, who remained uncomfortable. When she went into labor, Bertha attempted to climb to the belvedere and got stuck in the opening. Dr. Sprague ran for Margaret Vanetten, their “hired girl” (55). After they pulled her up, Bertha gave birth to their daughter, Minna Sprague, in 1907.

Margaret was deeply attached to Minna in “The Darling.” She noticed how precocious she was from a young age. Dr. Sprague wrote...