The woman who had walked so far was dead.
To Orina’s relief several people who could hear him crying out in his agony came to see what was happening and, because they could speak the same language, they were able to commiserate with him.
Orina realised that there was nothing she could do.
The man who was guarding her was there as well and she said to him,
“I will take the baby back with me. Tell the father so that he will understand where he is.”
“Si, señora,” he replied.
Orina walked back to the steps as quickly as she could with the baby in her arms. She climbed up them and it was a relief to find that Zeeti was in her cave tidying it.
She told the girl what had happened and then asked,
“We need milk for the baby.”
“No milk, señora,” Zeeti replied.
“Why not?” Orina asked sharpl
