The woman sat down upon a stool and waited.
Gerald sat opposite to her, the battered dressing-case upon his knees.
Between them was stretched the body of the unconscious man.
"Are you used to prayer, young sir ?" the woman asked.
Gerald shook his head, and the woman did not pursue the subject.

Only once her eyes were half closed and her words drifted across the room.
"The Lord have mercy on this man, a sinner!".