She has no recognition of shape, or colour, of light or darkness. The
track of the fragment is through the optic chiasma. All indications are
that the nerve is severed.
There is no technique known to medical science which will restore that.
Edelman paused to draw breath, before going on. In a word then, your
daughter is permanently and totally blinded in both eyes. The Brig
sighed, and looked up slowly. Have you told her? and Edelman could not
hold his gaze. I was rather hoping that you would do that. Yes, the
Brig nodded, it would be best that way. Can I see her now? Is she
awake? She is under light sedation. No pain, only a small amount of
discomfort, the external wound is insignificant, and we shall not
attempt to remove the metal fragment. That would entail major
neurosurgery. He stood up and indicated the door. Yes, you may see her
now. I will take you to her. The corridor outside the row of emergency
theatres was lined along each wall with stretchers, and the Brig
recognized many of his guests laid out upon them. He stopped briefly to
speak with one or two of them, before following Edelman to the recovery
room at the end of the corridor.
Debra lay on the tall bed below the window. She was very pale, dry
blood was still clotted in her hair and a thick cotton wool and bandage
dressing covered both her eyes.
Your father is here, Miss Mordecai, Edelman told I her, and she rolled
her head swiftly towards them.
Daddy? I am here, my child. The Brig took the hand she held out, and
stooped to kiss her. Her lips were cold, and she smelled strongly of
disinfectant and anaesthetic.
Mama? she asked anxiously.
She is out of danger, the Brig assured her, but Hannah Yes. They told
me, Debra stopped him, her voice choking. Is Joe all right?
He is strong, the Brig said. He will be all right David? she asked.
He is here.
Eagerly she struggled up on to one elbow, her face lighting with
expectation, the heavily bound eyes turned blindly seeking.
David, she called, where are you? Damn this bandage. Don't worry,
David, it's just to rest my eyes.
No, the Brig restrained her with a hand on her arm. He is outside,
waiting, and she slumped with disappointment.
Ask him to come to me, please, she whispered.
Yes, said the Brig, in a while, but first there is something we must
talk about, something I have to tell you.
She must have guessed what it was, she must have been warned by the tone
of his voice for she went very still. That peculiar stillness of hers,
like a frightened animal of the veld.
He was a soldier, with a soldier's blunt ways, and although he tried to
soften it, yet even his tone was roughened with his own sorrow, so that
it came out brutally. Her hand in his was the only indication that she
had heard him, it spasmed convulsively like a wounded thing and then lay
still, a small tense hand in the circle of his big bony fist.
She asked no questions and when he had done they sat quietly together
for a long time. He spoke first.
