Tristan quietly wondered what role Mr. Meijer had played in the injury and collapse, but he kept that question to himself.

Several minutes. That was some heavy bleeding. He took the cloth and pressed it as firmly as he could against the cut, still holding the hand up. He still kept the injured man from falling to his side with his hip. It would probably be better to put him down on the floor, but it would mean releasing pressure on the wound again.

"Good lad, come stand at the other side, so your mistress can tend to the baby." The infant looked very young, and if it was hers, it was too early for her to be up and worrying herself sick like this. He could have asked Mr. Meijer. But there was someone else to ask, so...