Chapter 25

The doctor inspected the deep gash on Ngaiti"s head and sutured the wound, proclaiming that he was suffering from concussion and needed rest to recover. He dutifully dispensed some laudanum to ease the pain, which left Ngaiti sleepy. The cause of the incident was still unknown and until the effect of the opiate had worn off, it was unlikely Ngaiti would be able to communicate in any coherent way.

It was decided that Eleanor would remain with Ngaiti, and Andrew would continue to work, returning home during his mid-day break to see how he was doing.

Andrew sat at his writing desk, the journals open in front of him and a large accounting register beckoning. He had been unable to shake the incident of Ngaiti"s injury from his mind, the sight of the blood streaming down the side of his face disturbing. The doctor explained how head wounds bled profusely and often looked worse than they really were.