Christine hands over the cloth still pressed to the wound to the doctor, who holds it on until she can stand and move out of the way. Her fingers have traces of his blood there and the cook fusses that she needs to come to the kitchen and wash her hands. Christine won't be moved, however, standing back to see if she can assist in any way. But the doctor is a seasoned expert and after an examination, he concludes no organs have been damaged and works on sewing Dean up.

The cook leaves for a moment and returns with another wet cloth and takes her mistress's hand, wiping it clean. Christine barely registers this, worrying about how the stitching must hurt.

"Please, may I come hold his hand?"