Chapter 46: Chapter 46

Wellington

Dr. Featherston trudged up the steep path towards Colonel Wakefield"s residence. He paused briefly to button his coat and reposition his hat as the biting, cold wind rushed over the southern hills of Wellington to further cool his doleful mood. As the bearer of bad tidings, he felt no pleasure in the information he intended to share with his friends and was reluctant to continue.

With a frown he pushed on, determined to deal with the unpleasantness as best he could. On reaching the New Zealand Company office, he hesitated briefly to collect himself before stepping inside the building.

Andrew was hunched over his precious ledgers recording information and didn"t hear Isaac enter. Isaac stood quietly and fidgeted with his hat as he waited for Andrew.

"Isaac! How long have you been standing there...?" Andrew"s voice trailed off, aware that something wasn"t as it should be.

After a moment"s pause, "It"s Ngaiti, Andrew, ...I"m sorry."