Seraphina
The woman apologized for dripping on the floor.
Seraphina looked at the wet cloth around her arm.
"Sit here."
"I've come from the washing house. I didn't have time to change."
"That's all right."
The woman sat on the assessment bench. Her companion kept one hand beneath the wrapped arm while an attendant brought the treatment tray.
A hot vessel had split during the morning work. The first help at the washing house had covered the injury and sent her to the clinic.
She had walked part of the way before her companion found a cart.
Seraphina asked her name and repeated it to the attendant.
Then she asked before touching the cloth.
The woman nodded.
Seraphina supported the arm while the attendant eased the edge free. The cloth had caught in one place.
"Wait," the woman said.
They waited.
Her companion leaned closer, then stopped when the attendant asked him to leave room beside the bench.
"Tell us when you're ready," Seraphina said.
