Chapter 24
The next morning, Norton insisted on a wound check and escorted Nick into the surgeon’s cabin. Nick sat at the table and allowed Norton to unwind the bandage from his forehead and turn his head this way and that to examine it in the lantern light. The overcast day sent only dingy grey light through the window.
Norton leaned in for a close look, smelling faintly of pipe tobacco. “Shouldn’t leave much of a scar,” he pronounced. “I’ll clean it again and put some salve on it, and let you go without a bandage from now on.” He poured gin on a cloth. “As you’re my employer and the grandson of my previous employer, I would never question your judgment.” He dabbed a little at the edges of the healing gash. “Being your brother-in-law, however, I feel entitled to a little liberty. I was
