Chapter 18 Summary and Analysis

Cindy is a tale of everything gone wrong, at least from Herriot's perspective. He visits Lilac Cottage, where Mrs. Cook is anxiously awaiting the birth of puppies by a terrier named Cindy. Her anxiety stems from the fact the whelping is late, according to here calendar. Herriot carefully examines the bitch and finds she is not even close to delivery.

Mrs. Cook persists, and asks if Herriot can give the dog an injection to induce delivery. He refuses on grounds an injection at this stage might threaten the life of mother and puppies. However he offers to give her some tablets (vitamins) that he says should help matters. Irritated, the woman tells him her name isn't Cook. Once outside, Herriot calls to a farm hand that her name is not Cook.

He answers that he must have misunderstood; she's the cook...